Warning: This Article Contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2
Summary
Star Trek: Prodigyseason 2 almost featured the return of Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk from J.J. Abrams’Star Trekmovies.Pine’s Captain Kirk exists inStar Trek’s alternate Kelvin Timeline, whileStar Trek: Prodigy is set inStar Trek’s Prime Timeline.InStar Trek: Prodigyseason 2, everyStar Trektimelineis threatened by the reality-eating creatures called the Loom. The young heroes of the USS Protostar set the timeline right, but inStar Trek: Prodigyseason 2, episode 14, “Cracked Mirror”, the Starfleet hopefuls jump into several alternate realities, including the Mirror Universe.
Star Trek: Prodigyco-executive producer Aaron J. Waltke joinedScreen Rantfor an exclusive interview deep-diving into theStar Treklore ofProdigyseason 2. Waltke revealed that one of the ideas discussed forStar Trek: Prodigyseason 2 wasChris Pine’s Captain Kirk crossing over into the series for a 2-episode arc.Aaron explains why they unfortunately had to let go of that cool idea. Read his quote below:
At one point, I think we had discussed the possibility of what other universes can we explore? And I think at one point, we talked about trying to bring in even the Kelvin universe, but we just simply didn’t have time in the “Cracked Mirror” episode, where they’re going into all the different universes. And we were like, ‘Oh, what if we brought in that Captain Kirk, and he had to help them for a couple of episodes?’ It was a cool idea, but it was just a little bit too many sauces in the stew kind of a thing. I think it would have been fun. But I think it would have diverted from the story we were telling. It would have been the Captain Kirk show for a couple of episodes. Maybe that’s season three, we’ll find out.
Chris Pine Is Curious About Playing Star Trek’s Captain Kirk Again: “I’m A Lot Older Now”
Chris Pine would be happy to play Captain Kirk in Star Trek again, and he wonders what playing his version of a middle-aged Kirk would be like.
Chris Pine In Star Trek: Prodigy Would Have Been Historic
What might arrive first: Star Trek: Prodigy season 3 or Star Trek 4?
Chris Pine hasn’t played Captain Kirk sinceStar Trek Beyondin 2016, andthe mind boggles at the possibilities of the alternate Kelvin timeline’s Captain of the USS Enterprise crossing over intoStar Trek: Prodigy.Aaron J. Waltke speculated a 2-episode arc for Captain Kirk, which would have given ample time for James to possibly step aboard the USS Protostar or USS Voyager-A to meet Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew). Dal R’El (Brett Gray) meeting Captain Kirk would also have been cool, letting the young Augment meet and be inspired by one ofStar Trek’s most legendary Captains and risk-takers.
J.J. Abrams’Star Trekis set in the Kelvin Timeline’s 23rd century andStar Trek: Prodigymainly takes place in the Prime Universe’s 24th century.
Perhaps Chris Pine returning as Captain Kirk could happen inStar Trek: Prodigyseason 3, as Aaron J. Waltke suggested.It would mark the first time aStar Trekcharacter from the Kelvin Timeline universe appeared in aStar TrekTV series.However,Star Trek: Prodigyseason 3awaits a green light from Netflix, whileStar Trek 4, the long-awaited next J.J. Abrams-producedStar Trekmovie, remains in development hell. Who knows whichStar Trekproject will make it to screens first, but fingers crossed bothStar Trek 4andStar Trek: Prodigyseason 3 feature Chris Pine as Captain Kirk.
