SAN DIEGO | “Star Trek” has lived long and prospered for an impressive half-century, a prime reason for Comic-Con 2016 to celebrate the iconic franchise’s golden anniversary.
With its multi-ethnic crew, the original “Star Trek” series addressed moral and social issues, and is largely considered to be one of the most culturally influential television shows ever to hit broadcast television. The series has since spawned 13 films, with the latest, “Star Trek Beyond,” premiering here last Wednesday.
Talk-show host Conan O’Brien MC’d the IMAX premiere, which featured the San Diego Symphony Orchestra playing the entire film’s score, as well as the music from the 2009 “Star Trek” film — all composed by Michael Giacchino. “Beyond” stars Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, John Cho, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban and producer J.J. Abrams attended.
“The [original show was], for me, mind-blowing at the age of 17,” Rod Roddenberry, son of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, told People at the premiere. “I didn’t really understand [at the time] how a TV show could do this, because the kinds of shows that I watched were a little bit more one-dimensional.”
On Saturday, cast members from the five “Star Trek” series were present at at a panel discussion. Original Captain Kirk William Shatner — still going strong at 85 — was present, along with Brent Spiner and Michael Dorn from “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Jeri Ryan from “Star Trek: Voyager” and Scott Bakula from the short-lived “Enterprise.”
There was much discussion about how Roddenberry’s optimistic vision of a future of peace remains relevant, particularly given troubling world events.
“I think ’Star Trek’ in general has been about respecting everyone, no matter who or what they are,” said Mr. Spiner, who portrayed the android Data on TV in the “Next Generation” show and in several films thereafter. “And we’re living in a world right now where that sort of respect is being challenged not just all over the world, but in our country too, and it’s disturbing.
“I think a lot of our politicians and a lot of our fellow citizens could take a page from ’Star Trek’ [and] have a bit more respect.”
On a lighter note, Mr. Shatner, whose character was killed in 1994’s “Star Trek: Generations,” responded enthusiastically when asked if Kirk might be revived in the Trek timeline that theoretically continues even after the reboot with the new cast started in 2009 — with Mr. Pine as a younger Kirk.
“Hell yes,” the spirited actor enthused.
Looking to the future of the final frontier, the next chapter of the Trek universe will once again come to the small screen in January. At the panel, it was also revealed that “Star Trek Discovery,” a new streaming show for CBS All Access, will premiere in 2017.
“I think what the new series has to do is remind the audience about the message of ’Star Trek,’ which is to continue to be progressive, push boundaries and continue to tell stories in the legacy that Gene Roddenberry promised — giving us hope for the future” said Bryan Fuller, executive producer of the new series.
Like Mr. Spiner, Mr. Fuller explained that the optimism of “Star Trek” is needed when the real world becomes perhaps too dark.
“The state of our country today terrifies me,” he said. “We need something like ’Star Trek’ to remind us that collectively, as a human race, we’re going to get our [act] together, and we’re going to build a better future.
“There is nothing like the guiding light that Gene Roddenberry hung in the sky.”
Excited fans were able to view the test flight of the U.S.S. Discovery, the new Starfleet ship that will star in the franchise’s return to television. Mr. Fuller said the writers and producers are working on casting and writing the first three scripts; set construction is underway in Toronto.
Ever since Roddenberry cast a multicultural crew in his 1960s television series, it has been incumbent upon subsequent standard-bearers of the brand to continue the dream of people of all races living and working together in outer space, Mr. Fuller said.
“’Star Trek’ is about family and finding your family,” he said. “We absolutely intend to continue that tradition of progressiveness in our casting choices and representation.”
Other Trek-centric events at Comic-Con included panels on the science behind the sci-fi show, an exhibit of artwork commemorating its characters and even the debut of an official “Star Trek” beer.
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