Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The stories of intergalactic federations and interstellar voyages are yet to come to an end. The never-ending galaxies ofStar TrekandStar Warshave given us layered worlds infused with lores and characters, each of whom could deliver a potential series/movie storyline. George Takei, one of theStar Trekoriginal cast members, was once destined for a similar fate, too, but it was to no avail.
Given the many opportunities allowed by these lore-heavy worlds to explore their vast realms, George Takei’s story should have easily found a way to exist today. Unfortunately, a lack of foresight on the studio’s part shelved any such idea of a spin-off series/movie afterStar Trek VI. Despite the odds stacked against him, Takei never stopped trying to get his show off the ground.
Star Trekleaves a door open for a Captain Sulu series
Behind everyStar Trekcharacter, there is an entire timeline of events, choices made, and decisions taken that could fill out a history book. Those choices and events could then be compiled into a series or a movie like that ofPicardor the upcomingSection 31. Both of these projects star highly regarded actors –Sir Patrick StewartandMichelle Yeohrespectively, who successfully branched off with their own spin-off series after starring in an ensemble one.
As such, it shouldn’t be impossible forGeorge Takeito find a foothold in theStar Trekuniverse as Sulu fromThe Original Series. Later projects informed the viewers of his promotion to Captain of the USS Excelsior, a storyline that could have found immense fame and popularity among the original Trekkies.
George Takei: “Self-Centered” William Shatner Refused to Attend an OG Member’s Last Star Trek Convention Appearance
However, despite the efforts ofStar Trek VIto open up a door for Captain Sulu, the idea failed to gain much momentum among the studio and network executives. A subtle backdoor pilot episode was organized as well to analyze the reception of a Captain Sulu/Excelsior spin-off. Despite the turnout, the idea was ultimately shelved due to a lack of enthusiasm from the studio execs.
George Takei fights against the goliath for Sulu’s sake
When Gene Roddenberry createdStar Trek, it was one of the first shows to feature a multiracial cast on television. In the 1960s, it was a huge step toward the evolution of representation in media. George Takei had been a part of that evolutionary step forward by being a central cast member ofStar Trek: TOS, starring alongside William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy since the first episode.
Takei’s presence in the pop culture sphere was, as a result, not only a massive win for Asians but also allowed racially diverse actors to see themselves being a part of something bigger – from being a part of an ensemble crew to leading their own titular shows one day. AfterStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Countryrevealed Hikaru Sulu’s role as the Captain of the USS Excelsior, Takei was joined by a multitude of fans who campaigned for a spin-off series.
“He will not have the vision to go out there”: One Star Trek Legend Knows Donald Trump as President Means Death of NASA and Space Travel
In a 2010 interview withVoyages, George Takei claimed (viaTrekToday):
Back in the 1990s, Russ Haslage contacted me about a campaign to launch a new Star Trek series called Excelsior, which would have been based on the adventures of the USS Excelsior and Captain Sulu. And of course I have a deep and profound love and interest in Captain Sulu. And I must say, Russ and IFT [International Federation of Trekkers] mounted a very impressive campaign. It was a substantial idea. There was a huge following for it.
Despite the following and the widely impressive reception ofStar Trek VI, Paramount neither entertained the idea of a Sulu/Excelsior spin-off nor encouraged any future involvement in the project. With time, the Excelsior spin-off idea died down, although a faction of Trekkies (along with Takei) still continues to be plagued by what a Captain Sulu spin-off would have been like.
Star Trek: The Original Seriesis available for streaming on Paramount+.
Diya Majumdar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2408
Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.
More from Diya Majumdar
Kevin Hart Is Trading Dwayne Johnson for Another WWE Star in New Netflix Film
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein First Look Photos Decoded: Is it the Darkest Netflix Film Yet?
Kevin Costner and Jake Gyllenhaal Go On a Honeymoon in Crazy Stupid Love Directors’ New Movie
Recommended
The Conjuring: Last Rites Faces Its Toughest Box-Office Battle After Rare WB Record
Bridgerton’s BTS Moment Proves the Netflix Show Is Against James Cameron’s Ways
Fallout Season 2 Release Date Confirmed: 5 Post-Apocalyptic Shows to Watch While You Wait For Peak Cinema
Perfect Match Season 3: How Did Ollie Propose to AD?
Severance Season 3: Why Isn’t Ben Stiller Directing? Details Inside
George TakeiStar Trek: The Original Series
