Star Trek has a long history of crossovers, even predating popular franchises like MCU and Star Wars. The upcoming season of Strange New Worlds will feature a crossover between the live-action characters and the animated characters from Star Trek: Lower Decks. Despite this, Star Trek doesn’t always receive credit as the original shared universe. We spoke with the creators of Strange New Worlds about the extensive interconnectivity of the Trek universe and its impact on the franchise.
When discussing cinematic universes, it’s important to consider the definition and the earliest examples. While James Bond and Planet of the Apes were early ongoing franchises, they didn’t have the same level of interconnectivity as modern shared universes. Even earlier examples like Universal horror movies and Godzilla series, although they had mash-ups of characters, didn’t have a coherent plan for a cinematic universe.
Legendary TV producer Norman Lear played a key role in popularizing crossovers. Shows like All in the Family, Maude, and Good Times paved the way for crossovers in the 70s. However, the first crossover in the Star Trek franchise can be traced back to the very first episode, “The Cage,” which set up the events of the two-parter “The Menagerie.”
“The Menagerie” utilized unused footage from the unaired pilot to create the first Trek crossover, featuring a different crew and a different look. This episode canonized Captain Pike, a character who would later be revived in Star Trek: Discovery and eventually lead to his own show, Strange New Worlds.
Anson Mount, who plays Captain Pike, believes that working within a franchise allows for different iterations and storytelling approaches within the same canon. There are also meta continuity references in the franchise that pay homage to Gene Roddenberry’s original creation.
While The Original Series didn’t have extensive crossovers during its 1960s run, it attempted a backdoor pilot with “Assignment: Earth,” which didn’t lead to further development. The series was eventually canceled but continued with a short-lived animated show that maintained continuity and expanded on it. The movies further built on the world-building and character development of the show, bringing iconic moments and characters to the big screen.
The second film introduced Khan, a character from the original series, as one of the franchise’s most memorable villains. The movies evolved the Star Trek universe, exploring deeper storylines, character arcs, and world-building moments.
Overall, Star Trek’s long history of crossovers and interconnectivity has deepened and strengthened the franchise. It remains an attractive aspect for fans who appreciate the internal logic and consistency within the Trek universe. The upcoming crossover in Strange New Worlds is yet another exciting addition to the rich tapestry of Star Trek.
Denial of responsibility! SamacharCentrl is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
