Like the TV episodes, the Star Trek movies didn't just focus on the various starship crews, and usually introduced new characters in supporting roles. Whether they were memorable Star Trek villains or new cadets on the Enterprise, the movies often invested more time in the supporting characters than the TV shows ever did. Unfortunately, many actors aren't best remembered for their time trekking among the stars, and their contributions are overshadowed by the main crew who took center stage.
The franchise is no stranger to reusing actors again and again, and David Warner has appeared in multiple roles in the Star Trek films and TV shows. Perhaps best remembered for playing the villainous Cardassian torturer, Gul Madred, in the Next Generation episode "Chain of Command", Warner actually appeared in two different Star Trek movies. In Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Warner plays the Federation ambassador trapped on Nimbus III, but he stole the show as the philosophical Klingon chancellor, Gorkon, in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
Malcolm McDowell is no stranger to playing villain roles, and he has made a name for himself playing dastardly characters in films like A Clockwork Orange. His appearance in the Star Trek franchise is in one of its weaker installments, but McDowell's performance is a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable movie. Star Trek Generations tapped McDowell to play Soran, a scientist who wants to reenter the Nexus in order to escape from his own tragic past.
Soran's arc is the one thing in the film that makes sense
Soran is a unique Star Trek movie villain because he has a clear motivation that's understandable. Even though Generations is a bit convoluted and bogged down, Soran's arc is the one thing in the film that makes sense. This is due in large part to McDowell's performance, but he has largely been forgotten because the film itself isn't worth remembering.
According to the book, The Art of Star Trek by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, Plummer requested that Chang have lighter makeup so that he could have a more human look for his performance.
Ironically, TV icon John Larroquette made his only Star Trek appearance in a movie and not in one of the many series. The Night Court and Boston Legal star appeared in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock as Maltz, one of the crew members on the Klingon cruiser commanded by the evil, Kruge (Christopher Lloyd). Unlike his more violent contemporaries, Maltz is often the voice of reason and tries on numerous occasions to advise Kruge, who is determined to make foolhardy decisions.
One thing that makes the Star Trek movies special is that they often cast excellent actors in the smallest supporting roles. Never was this more true than in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, when Kurtwood Smith appeared as the Federation President. Smith's character doesn't have a name, but is a member of the Efrosian species, an alien race known for their long white hair and cranial ridges. Smith brings his usual stoic charm to the part, and is a far cry from the stern and humorous Red Forman from That '70s Show.
Kurtwood Smith's Star Trek roles include:
Role |
Series Or Movie |
Episode |
---|---|---|
Federation President |
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country |
N/A |
Thrax |
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |
S5 E8 "Things Past" |
Annorax |
Star Trek: Voyager |
S4 E8 & 9 "Year of Hell Parts 1 & 2" |
Magistrate Clar |
Star Trek: Lower Decks |
S1 E8 "Veritas" |
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