Star Trek legend William Shatner has told DailyMail.com that he’s excited to watch the science-fiction world become more diverse and spoke of his not-so-secret love for billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk.

The 87-year-old actor, who played the iconic Captain James Kirk, spoke exclusively ahead of attending Big Apple Comic Con in New York this weekend.

'It's New York Comic Con - there's nothing bigger or better than coming to New York and visiting with the fans. It's huge,’ he said.

On Monday it was announced that the Star Trek spin-off series, based on Sir Patrick Stewart’s character Jean-Luc Picard, will be the first pilot episode in the show’s 50-year history to be led by a woman, African-American director Hanelle Culpepper.

Actor William Shatner has exclusively told DailyMail.com of his joy seeing the science-fiction world become more diverse

Shatner applauded Culpepper, tweeting on Sunday: ‘My dear Hanelle! Congratulations on making history! Welcome to the Final Frontier! My best, Bill.’

African-American director Hanelle Culpepper will lead a Star Trek spin-off series, making this the first pilot episode led by a woman in franchise history

The Star Trek hero told DailyMail.com: 'Science fiction is an imaginative view of what's out there but since we don't know what's out there, anybody's view is equally valid.

‘So the more imaginative it is, the more fascinating. And with the advent of computer sciences and allowing us to see the breadth of some artists' imagination of what is out there, the combination is totally fascinating.

‘It is the epic film of our day - what used to be Biblical films of 10,000 extras following Moses is no longer the epic film. Its millions of soldiers running at each other - all of them computerized images.’

Shatner is doubtful he will take part in the series alongside former colleague Stewart but isn’t ruling it out.

‘Maybe,’ he said. ‘For me, it depends on what they want me to do and what kind of an acting role it is. Whether it's measurable.’

He has previously vetoed suggestions that he might do his own Captain Kirk-led spin-off.

‘I don't want to do that. I know that Patrick Stewart is doing something but that's not something I want to do,’ he said.

'I'm interested in creating stuff and I'm in a frenzy of creativity. I've got a company I'm calling Shatner's Universe and we're coming up with all kinds of interesting and differentiated subject matter.’

Shatner applauded Culpepper in a tweet on Sunday. The series will be based around Sir Patrick Stewart’s character Jean-Luc Picard, but Shatner is dubious if he will join the cast

The 87-year-old Star Trek legend known for his role as Captain James Kirk said he is excited for Big Apple Comic Con in New York this weekend and to see the fans

Shatner has made no secret of his love for Elon Musk on Twitter and the tech mogul has spoken about how science fiction has influenced him. Shatner says he ‘unfortunately’ hasn’t crossed paths with the Tesla billionaire.

‘I would love to. He's an extraordinarily interesting man,’ he said. ‘I heard him on the radio this morning talking about docking the Space X rocket [with the International Space Station].

'A major success from him and all he said was, ''Oh my god the stress. I'm just so tired."'

Despite his Captain Kirk credentials, Shatner said he would not be venturing into space for real.

‘[Elon] would have to give me a guarantee that I'm coming back,’ he joked.

After New York, Shatner will be heading to Comic Cons in Kansas City and Monroeville, Pennsylvania in the coming weeks.

He says that half a century after he landed the role of Captain Kirk, he still delights in meeting ‘Trekkies’ – even if some are a little more aggressive than others in capturing his attention.

‘I never forget that you and I are talking because I played Captain Kirk so many years ago. I never forget that. So when it has to do with Star Trek, I like to lavish some attention on it,’ he said.

Shatner is a very vocal fan of the Tesla CEO, tweeting to Elon Musk Saturday that he would ride into space only if the tech mogul were 'sitting beside me both ways'

Shatner also dished about his outward admiration for Elon Musk, whom he's never met, and said unlike his character, he would never venture into space in the real world

‘I think it was in New York, some years ago that I went back up to my room and discovered somebody had been in and stolen my underwear.

‘I got a phone call and it was a fan down in the lobby who had my underwear.

‘They said they would give me my underwear back if I signed something for them. I said, alright come up because I want my underwear.

‘It turned out to be a female who then protruded her left breast for me to sign, so I did it in the hallway, grabbed my underwear and slammed the door shut.’

Although best known for his Starship Entreprise role, the octogenarian has an eclectic array of projects in the pipeline.

‘I'm on tour several weekends this a year with a Star Trek film called the Wrath of Khan.

‘We play the film on a big screen and then I come out afterwards and spend an hour or more with the audience talking about whatever they want to talk about.

Last month, Shatner made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to perform from his recently-released country album, Why Not Me.

‘I'm working on a blues album and tried to make a documentary about it,’ he added. Shatner says he is willing to work with ‘anybody that will work with me. I'm going to work with [ZZ Top guitarist] Billy Gibbons on my album, who is a great blues performer.

‘I would love to work with BB king, but he's dead.’