Star Trek: Rod Roddenberry on Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs-like film idea

Yesterday marked Star Trek Day, the 55th anniversary of Gene Roddenberry’s premiere episode of the classic Original Series. To celebrate, multiple trailers and panels were unveiled looking forward and back at the legacy of the iconic science-fiction franchise. Then, in celebration of his father’s magnum opus, Roddenberry’s son opened up about his feelings on Star Trek and included his take on Quentin Tarantino’s proposed adventure.

When asked if he had any thoughts about Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs-like version on the Star Trek Universe, Roddenberry told Forbes the following:

“I struggle with that because the way I’m pretty myopic with the way I see Star Trek,” the CEO said. “I mentioned that I grew up with fans coming up to me out saying how Star Trek inspired them and gave them hope for the future. It’s the optimism and the messaging in there that make Star Trek what it was. I truly believe that. If you create a Star Trek, that is just action; that is not Star Trek, in my opinion. That’s what makes it different than Star Wars, and I love Star Wars, but they can both coexist. And I love Tarantino’s work and the kind of films that he does. I am trying to have an open mind.”

Roddenberry adds, “I would be curious to read a script on his take. I do not think you could say we’re going to do a Reservoir Dogs Star Trek. I’ll be honest, that doesn’t work for me, but he is a fan, and I think as a fan, he probably understands to some degree that Star Trek has to have some of this messaging. I would be curious, and I would try to have an open mind, but I’m not sure what it would be. I am glad that people are willing to explore that at least.”

While Roddenberry remains unconvinced about Tarantino’s hard-boiled take of the Star Trek brand, the franchise continues to expand with new television shows, animated series, and motion pictures. In fact, Matt Shakman is set to helm the next entry in the Kelvin-verse series. Shakman is currently developing the project with screenwriter Mark L. Smith (The Revenant), though details are scarce as to what the duo have planned. Perhaps this isn’t the last we’ll hear about Tarantino’s gangster-style Star Trek project. It could end up being converted into an animated series or stage play. After all, the world of Star Trek is as unpredictable as ever, and you never know what might be written among the stars.