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Star Trek: Section 31 – A New Chapter in the Starfleet Saga
A stellar cast gathers at Comic-Con
The cast of the highly anticipated Star Trek: Section 31, a direct-to-streaming film on Paramount+, made a grand appearance at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con. The film stars Michelle Yeoh (known for her role in Everything, Everywhere, All At Once), Sam Richardson (The Afterparty), Omari Hardwick (Power), and Kacey Rohl (The Magicians). They were joined by director Olatunde Osunsanmi and executive producer Alex Kurtzman to discuss this exciting new addition to the Star Trek universe.
A new mission for Philippa Georgiou
Star Trek: Section 31 is a spin-off from the series Star Trek: Discovery. The film follows Philippa Georgiou (played by Yeoh) as she navigates her role within Section 31, a covert division of Starfleet tasked with safeguarding the United Federation of Planets. This narrative promises to blend action, drama, and comedy in a way that is both fresh and familiar to fans of the franchise.
A blend of genres
Sam Richardson, who portrays a shapeshifting chameloid named Quasi, emphasized the film’s multifaceted nature. “The movie is a lot of things. It’s action, drama, comedy, it’s equal parts all of that,” he said. “So, it’s not just up to Quasi to be funny, everybody’s funny in it, and everybody’s serious and the stakes are there for everybody. So it really is a whole piece.”
Omari Hardwick echoed this sentiment, highlighting the film’s unique blend of genres. “There’s still that marriage, the hybrid of the sort of formality that we grew up watching, and yet it still has this dirty, sort of edgy take on it—where a sense of humor is allowed,” he noted. “That was just amazing for us.”
The weight of the Star Trek legacy
Alex Kurtzman, who was honored with the 2024 Institutional Peabody Award for Star Trek, reflected on the profound legacy of the franchise. During the award ceremony, he was surrounded by Star Trek alumni such as LeVar Burton, Jeri Ryan, Patrick Stewart, Scott Bakula, and Wilson Cruz. “That was the most amazing part. You looked around and saw somebody from almost every cast, and you just felt the weight of the legacy and the connection between everybody,” he said. “It was really profound. The feeling of seeing multiple generations of actors coming together for their own unique reasons, connecting over what it means to be in this franchise. I hate the word franchise. It feels like we all work at a McDonald’s, but it’s family, right?”
Michelle Yeoh’s unwavering commitment
Although Michelle Yeoh couldn’t join the cast at Comic-Con, her presence was deeply felt. The team described her as a galvanizing force and a brilliant performer. Kurtzman shared his admiration for Yeoh’s dedication to the project. “It was incredible to see because, through all the different iterations of it, Michelle was completely committed to doing it. Even after she won the Oscar,” he said. “She sort of doubled down on it, and we ended up being able to move forward in the window of time that we had.”
Dive deeper into the Star Trek universe
For those eager to explore more about the film and its characters, you can watch the full interview with the cast here. The interview delves into their characters, their favorite Star Trek episodes, and what’s on each of their watch lists.
A personal reflection
As a long-time fan of the Star Trek series, the announcement of Star Trek: Section 31 feels like a thrilling new chapter in a beloved saga. The blend of genres and the inclusion of a diverse cast promise to bring a fresh perspective to the Starfleet universe. Michelle Yeoh’s involvement, especially after her Oscar win, adds a layer of prestige and excitement to the project. The dedication of the cast and crew to honor the legacy of Star Trek while pushing its boundaries is truly commendable.
For those who have followed the series from its inception, this film is a testament to the enduring appeal and adaptability of the Star Trek universe. It’s not just a franchise; it’s a family that continues to grow and evolve, inviting new generations to explore the final frontier.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Star Trek: Section 31.
