Star Trek: Voyager should have gotten a movie sequel, but the premise meant it couldn't follow in the footsteps of Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation. After The original series' cancellation, the franchise lasted six Star Trek films, starting with 1979 Star Trek: the movie. When Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country arrived in cinemas, Star Trek: The Next Generation was in its fifth season. After The next generation ended, the cinematic torch passed from Terms of Service Cast into the crew of the USS Enterprise-D in 1994 Star Trek Generations.
It made sense that Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager films would follow TNGfilms, whether with contemporary installments or through a Generations-passing-of-the-torch style. THE Traveler special appearance by Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) in the fourth exit to the TNG cast, Star Trek: Nemesis, was not the main crossover experience that Star Trek Generations it was, but Janeway's Nemesis appearance still suggested the possibility of more Traveler in the future Star Trek projects. That hope was dashed when Nemesis It did not live up to the box office and fans' expectations.
Star Trek: Voyager deserved to have a movie like TOS and TNG
Star Trek: Voyager is more like TOS and TNG than DS9
Yet Star Trek: Voyager I deserved to have a film like this Terms of Service and TNGgiven their similarities. While DS9 opened new paths for Star Trek franchise with its serialized narrative and heavy character arcs, Traveler conducted business as usual with episodic adventures into unexplored space. As with TNGIt was not necessary to know complicated stories to understand Travelercast of characters; most could be explained in dialogue. Captain Kathryn Janeway's USS Voyager even made first contact with more alien species than anyone else since Captain James Kirk (William Shatner).
In some ways, Voyager's twelve two-part episodes function as short films in their own right.
In a way, TravelerThe twelve two-part episodes function as short films in their own right. Star Trek: Voyager season 5, episodes 15 and 16, "Dark Frontier", was marketed as a Traveler television filmpresented as an uncut episode when it first aired (and on streaming services). Traveler season 3, episodes 8 and 9, "Future's End", feels like a direct homage to Star Trek IV: The Voyage Homewith the crew of the USS Voyager in 20th century San Francisco solving problems with a modern scientist. Unfortunately, these episodes were ultimately just substitutes for the big-screen cinematic experience that could have been.
Star Trek: Voyager's premise made the film's continuation nearly impossible
Star Trek: Voyager's ending meant a movie wouldn't be like the show
However, the story and conclusion of Traveler complicated the continuation of the film. TravelerThe concept of being lost in the Delta Quadrant was perfect for a Star Trek TV program that continued the legacy (and format) of the previous ones Star Trek show. THE Terms of Service and TNG The films show what happened after the end of their series, more or less in real time, with the adventures of their respective USS Enterprises continuing. Different Terms of Service'abrupt end and TNGThe most open ending, Traveler ends with the USS Voyager returning homewhich meant there could be no continued adventures for Janeway's crew.
Instead of being direct continuations like the Terms of Service and TNG films, a Traveler the film would have to be very different from the TV show. The concept that defined Traveler – the lack of knowledge about the Delta Quadrant – would not be present in any story set after the end. Instead of employing the safe narrative that did the easy and fun series to watch, one Star Trek: Voyager the film would have to chart new narrative ground. Furthermore, after Star Trek: Nemesis' box office disappointment, investing in a Traveler film, especially one drastically different from its source material, would have been too risky.
How a Star Trek: Voyager Movie Could Have Worked (Despite the Show's Ending)
How does the crew of the USS Voyager adjust to life in the Alpha Quadrant?
Still, a Traveler the film may have worked with some brainstorming. TravelerThe series finale suffered from ending too abruptly, without showing any consequences of the return of the USS Voyager. A film would have created space to explore the consequences of the team's absence and see how they adapt to returning home. DS9The Dominion War changed the Alpha Quadrant during the time of USS Voyager's absence, so friends and family may have been lost. TravelerThe characters banded together to survive in an unfamiliar environment, and returning home would certainly have psychological effects on the crew.
This heavy subject is not so different from reflections on aging, grief, legacy, or past change. Star Trek films. ONE Traveler the film could have found a way to work in themes of alienation and traumatic bonds, alongside the crew of the USS Voyager coming together to deal with a threat they would have been uniquely equipped to deal with. A call from the Delta Quadrant or a time travel adventure, a new ship and promotions all around would have been a big hit. Star Trek: Voyager film that lived up to its premise and the legacy of Star Trek previous films, despite the commercial risk.