Origin Movie for Star Trek: Canon Issues and possible narrative paths
Star Trek aficionados are naturally worried about the possible influence of the forthcoming origin film on the accepted canon. Promised as "an origin story for the main timeline of the Star Trek franchise," the next Star Trek movie to open theatres is expected to be This fresh starting point begs issues regarding how it will affect the already accepted narratives of Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Enterprise. Both of these narratives looked at humanity's first interactions with extraterrestrial life and the following Federation building process.
Earth-Based Context of Star Trek Origin Movie
Fortunately, recent reports indicate that the origin film will mostly highlight events happening on Earth. This realization suggests that the film might not totally rewrite the canon set by Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Enterprise. Rather, the movie might excitingly close the distance between these two stories.
First Contact and Enterprise Canon: Paramount's New Star Trek Movie & Its Effects
The announcement that the Star Trek origin film would mostly take place on Earth has spurred conjecture about a possible retcon of the events in Star Trek: First Contact, so providing another viewpoint on how mankind first came upon alien life. According to the Hollywood Reporter's analysis of this Star Trek prequel, fans' jumping-on point drives questions regarding a possible rewriting of Zefram Cochrane's first encounter with the Vulcans.
Still, another possibility exists. First contact with Cochrane could be the prologue for the origin film, so upholding the accepted canon and bringing a fresh Star Trek story. Storytelling opportunities abound in the 88-year interval between Zefram Cochrane's development of warp speed and Captain Jonathan Archer's leadership of humanity's first deep space expedition. The Earth-based environment of the origin film could enable it to explore the causes of the century-long delay in humanity's travel into the stars and delve into the narrative of how Cochrane's discovery led to humanity's interaction with the Vulcans in developing warp travel.
Star Trek Origin Film and Filling the 88-Year Canon Gap
Without necessarily changing the accepted chronology, the Star Trek origin film can offer a gripping fresh narrative about mankind's early contacts with alien life and the founding of the Federation. Star Trek: Enterprise revealed that the Vulcans were under fire for impeding the evolution of humanity in the 88 years following Cochrane's first interaction. Given human post-nuclear war recovery, this central conflict offers a strong basis for a gripping Star Trek narrative. Seth Grahame-Smith's script has the liberty to investigate what happened following Star Trek: First Contact over this 88-year period.
Possibilities for the Star Trek Origin Film
Many unresolved issues, including the founding of United Earth and the Vulcans' conclusion that humanity was not yet ready for interstellar exploration, could be clarified by the Star Trek origin movie. Set in the years between Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Enterprise, an alien invasion movie could be ideal for illustrating early warp travel, humanity's post-war aggressiveness, and the Vulcans' justification for concluding they unprepared for deep space exploration and diplomacy. The origin film has the potential to greatly enhance Star Trek rather than throw off its accepted canon.
