Summary
Star Trek’s untitled prequel movie needs Scott Bakula fromStar Trek: Enterprise.Director Toby Haynes is mounting anUntitled Star Trek Originmovie for Paramount Pictures. Written by Seth Grahame-Smith, Haynes’Star Trekprequel is reportedly set"decades before"J.J. Abrams’Star Trekmovies, which would place it inStar Trek’s Prime Timelinebefore the creation of Abrams' alternate Kelvin timeline.Star Trek’s prequel movie is also said to be set mostly on Earth, with humanity dealing with aliens and the founding of the United Federation of Planets.This calls for Scott Bakula to return as Jonathan Archer.
What’s been reported aboutStar Trek’s prequel movie seems to set it in the 22nd century, likely afterStar Trek: Enterpriseif it deals with the creation of the Federation.Star Trek: Enterprise’s controversial finaleshowed the events of 2161 when Captain Jonathan Archer gave a speech that marked the beginning of the United Federation of Planets. Archer went on to become the first Federation President and was hailed as the greatest explorer of his era thanks to his leadership of the NX-01 Enterprise during its historic voyages.ThisStar Trekcanon cache - and Scott Bakula himself - would be invaluable toStar Trek’s prequel movie.
Every Star Trek Movie In Chronological Order
With 13 entries in the Star Trek movie series from 1979-2006, there are a couple of ways to watch the films chronologically.
Scott Bakula Could Be For Star Trek’s Prequel Movie What Leonard Nimoy Was For J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek
Archer has already been acknowledged by Star Trek movies
Scott Bakula appearing inStar Trek’s prequel movie as Jonathan Archer would be as vital as Leonard Nimoy was to J.J. Abrams’Star Trek(2009). Nimoy reprised Ambassador Spock (also known as Spock Prime), who crossed over into the alternate Kelvin timeline he was partly responsible for creating. More importantly,Nimoy served as a bridge to longtimeStar Trekfansthat helped them accept the rebooted youngcast ofStar Trek(2009), and the film’s premise of the USS Enterprise in an alternate reality. Leonard Nimoy’s presence assured skeptical Trekkers that J.J. Abrams' reboot was, indeed,Star Trek.
Scott Bakula is no stranger to appearing in feature films likeNecessary Roughness, Source Code, andAmerican Beauty.
Scott Bakula reprising Jonathan Archer inStar Trek’s prequel movie would have the same effect Leonard Nimoy’s Spock did inStar Trek(2009). Nearly 20 years afterStar Trek: Enterpriseended,Bakula’s Jonathan Archer is acknowledged - and even revered - as a pivotalStar Treklegacy character. Bakula is also a beloved actor who has generations of fans from his hit shows likeQuantum Leap, Men of a Certain Age, andNCIS: New Orleans. Scott Bakula returning as Jonathan Archer would signal to Trekkers skeptical about Toby Haynes' prequel that it is, indeed,Star Trekand will respect canon even as it adds new facets toStar Trek’s established history,
Star Trek’s prequel movie may premiere in theaters in 2026, which is the 60th anniversary ofStar Trekand the 25th anniversary of the premiere ofStar Trek: Enterprise.
Why Scott Bakula’s Archer Is Important To Star Trek’s Prequel Movie
Jonathan Archer is the father of the Federation
IfStar Trek’s prequel movie will deal with the founding of the Federation, then Scott Bakula’s Jonathan Archer has to be part of it. Archer was the first Federation President, and his absence would be glaring. Jonathan Archer has also already been referenced in J.J. Abrams’Star Trek(2009) when Scotty (Simon Pegg) told Spock and James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) that he tested transwarp beaming on"Admiral Archer’s prized beagle.“Whether it’sStar Trek’s Prime Timeline or alternate Kelvin timeline, Jonathan Archer is a major figure and a pillar ofStar Trekhistory as not just the firstCaptain of the Starship Enterprisebut, essentially, the father of the Federation.
Seeing Jonathan Archer return would grant legitimacy to Star Trek’s Untitled Origin movie.
Star Trek’s prequel doesn’t have to utilize Scott Bakula’s Jonathan Archer beyond a supporting role if it’s focusing on brand-new characters, but Scott Bakula appearing in theUntitled Star Trek Originmovie would be meaningful toStar Trek: Enterprise’s fans, who never got satisfying closure.Archer becoming Federation President was only spoken of but never seen on-screen.More than mere fan service, seeing Jonathan Archer return would grant legitimacy toStar Trek’sUntitled Originmovie, and firmly establish Scott Bakula as crucial toStar Trekhistory in movies and television.
