“This film is a love letter to Star Trek.”
Star Trek’s 60th anniversary celebration just got even bigger with the announcement that a special documentary featuring The Original Series’ big-three actors (William Shatner, George Takei, Walter Koenig) is scheduled to drop in Regal cinemas this fall. The synopsis for the upcoming film, which is titled The Sixty-Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World, reads as follows (per Deadline):
“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.”
Shatner, who last portrayed Captain James T. Kirk in the 1994 big-screen adventure Star Trek Generations, also serves as one of the executive producers on the documentary, with Mark A. Altman not only sitting in the director’s chair but penning the doc, too.
Altman isn’t a stranger to the franchise, which boldly goes and turns 60 later this year, as his producing credits include the television movie 50 Years of Star Trek (2016). Plus, he’s also worked on the must-see documentary series The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek (2021) and the Inglorious Treksperts podcast. Altman said about the upcoming doc:
“This film is a love letter to Star Trek. I’m immensely grateful to Regal to offer this gift to fans for the show’s 60th birthday. I’m confident that the film 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.”
Michael S. Broder, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Shatner and others, teased that some theatergoers are going to see more than simply a documentary at Regal. Border said:
“We 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 of Star Trek. I am delighted to join forces with William Shatner and many of the franchise’s greatest stars and creatives to bring this film to theaters. And since every birthday deserves a party, we’ll be bringing key Star Trek talent to theaters for exclusive Q&A’s.”
I’m excited that all three of Star Trek’s legacy actors are involved in the making of the new documentary. However, The Sixty-Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World documentary is also well represented by several fan-favorite actors from The Next Generation, including Brent Spiner (Data), Jonathan Frakes (Riker), Gates McFadden (Dr. Crusher), and Denise Crosby, who played both Tasha and later her Romulan-human daughter, Sela, on TNG.
Ultimately, I think Nana Visitor’s participation in the project is what I’m most excited to see, though. For those who may be new to the Star Trek fandom, Visitor portrayed Major Kira during all seven seasons of Deep Space Nine.
However, while I enjoyed her portrayal of DS9's Bajoran hero, I preferred it when the actress got the opportunity to play the villainous leader of the Mirror Universe: The Intendant.
The Sixty-Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World drops in Regal cinemas on Friday, Oct. 9. Are you planning to watch the 60th anniversary documentary in theaters, too? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
Add us as a preferred source on Google