Television’s most enduring space adventure continues its sixth-decade celebrations later this year, as a groundbreaking new ‘Star Trek’ documentary is slated to appear at select U.S. cinemas this October.
Deadline reports that “The Sixty-Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and The World” is beaming down to Regal cinemas on October 9. Executive-produced by none other than the legendary William Shatner himself, with writing and directing credits from noted ‘Star Trek’ historian Mark A. Altman, this new production analyzes the remarkable longevity of a franchise that began all the way back in the 1960s, and continues to inspire generations today.
Familiar Faces Beam Aboard
“The Sixty-Year Mission” includes a respectably lengthy list of ‘Star Trek’ alumni, with interviews spanning every era. Shatner (James Kirk) is joined by fellow ‘Original Series’ icons George Takei (Hikaru Sulu) and Walter Koenig (Pavel Chekov), plus representatives from several successive iterations of Gene Roddenberry’s starship-centered creation. Jonathan Frakes (William Riker), Brent Spiner (Data), and Gates McFadden (Beverly Crusher) all rep ‘The Next Generation’ and its streaming-era continuation, ‘Picard.’ Nana Visitor (Kira Nerys) provides her thoughts on TNG’s more serialized sister series, ‘Deep Space Nine,’ while Robert Picardo (The Doctor) is here for both ‘Voyager’ and the currently airing ‘Starfleet Academy.’ The Hollywood-famous Simon Pegg (Montgomery Scott) brings insight from the 2009-2016 movie trilogy. Rounding out the list are modern-era actors Ethan Peck (Spock) and Christina Chong (La’an Noonien Singh) from ‘Strange New Worlds.’
But that’s not all — “The Sixty Year Mission” appears equally interested in shining a spotlight on key personnel from behind the camera. Also interviewed are Rod Roddenberry, Gene’s son and a producer of most of Paramount+’s contemporary ‘Star Trek’ offerings, as well as quite a few unnamed individuals. The documentary’s official website summarizes the list as “over 50 ‘Star Trek’ stars, creatives, and super fans.”
Full Speed Ahead
GettyMark A. Altman previously helmed “The Fifty Year Mission,” a two-volume oral history. He returns ten years later, aided by producer Michael S. Broder from Galaxie Pictures. Broder tells Deadline he “could not be more excited to partner with Regal to ensure that fans have a chance to see this remarkable film honoring the incredible 60-year legacy,” and teases “key ‘Star Trek’ talent” will pop up at various showings for exclusive Q&As.
Altman describes “The Sixty-Year Mission” as “a love letter to ‘Star Trek,'” and expresses confidence that it will “appeal both to longtime fans of the franchise as well as new viewers who might be wondering what the unique alchemy of this pop culture icon is really about.”
Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
“This epic documentary reveals how bold artistic choices, behind-the-scenes conflicts, and groundbreaking ideas came together to create an enduring television classic. Through exclusive interviews and never-before-seen archival materials, The Sixty-Year Mission uncovers that truth is indeed stranger than science-fiction.”
While fandom celebrations are in full swing this year, actual ‘Star Trek’ productions have hit pause. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” is currently airing its penultimate fourth season, with a fifth already filmed and waiting in the wings for sometime next year. Similarly, “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,” which was canceled following its first-season finale, still has a sophomore season en route for 2027. Beyond that, there might be some temporary galactic turbulence — but at least there’s that recently-announced feature film from “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” scribes Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley.
