William Shatner Praises His ‘Wonderful’ Replacement After 20 Years as Priceline’s ‘Negotiator’ (Exclusive)

**William Shatner Passes the Baton to Randall Park as Priceline’s New Negotiator**

William Shatner, renowned for his long-standing role as Priceline’s Negotiator, is stepping down after nearly two decades. The beloved actor has officially handed over the role to fellow performer Randall Park, marking a significant transition for the brand. Park, who is best known for his work in “Fresh Off the Boat” and “WandaVision,” expressed his excitement about taking on this iconic character, stating that the experience has been surreal.

Reflecting on Shatner’s legacy, Park conveyed his admiration for the campaign that had captured his attention over the years. “For a good part of my life, I’ve seen this campaign and it’s stuck with me,” Park explained. “They were so funny and irreverent and silly.” The 52-year-old actor found the moment of Shatner passing the baton to be particularly remarkable. “The fact that it was William Shatner, to have him pass the baton to me was wild,” he added.

Shatner, now 95, shared insights about his own experiences during his time as the Negotiator. He revealed that he initially expected the role to last only a couple of commercials. “What obviously made them continue with me was the success and notoriety we got, and it helped build the company,” he remarked. Over the years, Shatner entertained audiences in a variety of roles, bringing to life a martial arts expert, a cowboy, and a mariachi musician, among others.

Although Shatner is stepping back, he understands that change is necessary. “Everything ends,” he stated, acknowledging the time has come for a new Negotiator to take charge. Prior to Park officially assuming the role, the duo engaged in virtual discussions to prepare for the transition. Park described these sessions as a “very surreal” experience, emphasizing how mind-blowing it was to connect with a legendary figure like Shatner.

While Park aims to retain the humour and eccentric charm characteristic of Shatner’s portrayal, he intends to infuse his own spin into the role. “If this was James Bond, I’d be like the Daniel Craig of the Negotiator,” he mused, adding that he would bring a bit more vulnerability and an edginess to the character. This fresh perspective will likely resonate with audiences familiar with Park’s unique comedic style.

The launch of the new campaign, titled “The Handoff,” showcases Park in a series of action-packed scenarios as he challenges rising travel costs. He described the physicality of the shoot, which included sword fighting and harness stunts that hoisted him into the air. “I got to throw smoke bombs and pop out of trees and bushes,” Park stated, indicating the collaborative and spontaneous nature of the project made it an enjoyable experience.

Though Shatner’s tenure has concluded, he holds high hopes for Park’s future with the campaign. “He’s going to be wonderful. We’ve all got our fingers crossed that he has success,” Shatner commented, noting Park’s youthfulness and charisma. The optimism surrounding Park’s new role suggests that Priceline is eager to evolve while still capturing the essence of the Negotiator.

The first mission for the new Negotiator will be a summer promotional campaign aimed at “Unbummerring Your Summer,” offering customers discounts of up to 60%. This initiative runs from May 12 through May 25, offering motivated travellers enticing deals for their excursions. For more details, consumers can visit Priceline.com/UnbummerYourSummer or explore the offerings in the Priceline app.

As Randall Park steps into this prominent role, audiences can expect a blend of humour, charm, and fresh energy, ensuring that the legacy of the Negotiator continues to thrive in exciting new ways.