"Not My Star Trek!": Section 31 Director Addresses Concerns About New Movie & Its Divisive Organization

Star Trek: Section 31 director Olatunde Osunsanmi has opened up on the movie's controversial nature and the furor that has surrounded it. The TV movie is the 14th overall in the Star Trek franchise, and Section 31 stars Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou, reprising her role from Star Trek: Discovery. Section 31 sees Georgiou join the titular secret division of Starfleet, which is tasked with conducting covert operations for the United Federation of Planets. The upcoming movie has caused consternation among many Star Trek fans, and there are concerns about how it fits into Star Trek canon.

In an interview with TV Line, Osunsanmi opens up on the backlash that the movie has received prior to its release, and the fact that many fans are concerned with the direction the movie will take, and how it differs from creator Gene Roddenberry's original vision. Addressing the concerns of fans claiming "Not my Star Trek!" and dubbing the movie as antithetical to the essence of the show, Osunsanmi has tried to ease concerns by reassuring fans that the film will attempt to uphold the values of Star Trek. Check out the director's full comments below:

“What we can say is we worked really hard to make sure we kept up the ideals of optimism and ‘What do we want our society to be in the future? In the end, Section 31 is good, it’s fun, and it’s a joy. Hopefully, they’re pleasantly surprised.”

What Osunsanmi's Comments Mean For Star Trek: Section 31

The Movie Might Be Enjoyable, But Trekkies Are Right To Have Concerns

Osunsanmi has presented a positive view of the upcoming Star Trek: Section 31, but this makes sense as he is the director of the movie. But, if what he says is true, the movie could be an enjoyable entry in Star Trek canon. However, the legacy fans are right to share concerns about how the film will fit into the franchise. The movie's focus on a shadowy, clandestine organization - largely consisting of morally ambiguous characters - engaged in morally gray actions feels in direct contrast to the core ideals of peace and diplomacy that are such a key pillar of the franchise.

Section 31 as an organization has appeared in several episodes of the TV shows, as well as in the Star Trek expanded universe, but this is the first time Section 31 has been the principal subject of a movie. The concept of antiheroes playing a prominent role in Star Trek is not a common trope, and it is one that could prove challenging for audiences to get on board with, especially with a relatively new character. This is something that the movie will have to grapple with if it is going to help cater to the franchise's strong existing audience.

Our Verdict On Star Trek: Section 31's Chances Of Success

The Movie Doesn't Feel Like Its Made For Existing Fans

Section 31 feels like a movie that has its work cut out for it, and doesn't feel like it was made for legacy fans. For one thing, the idea of a Star Trek spy movie feels like anathema, and a betrayal of Gene Roddenberry's vision, but, it's also the first Star Trek movie not to focus on the Starship Enterprise, which could be another point of contention among legacy fans used to the tradition and formula of Star Trek. However, some may view Star Trek: Section 31 as bringing complexity and intrigue to the franchise narrative, and offering something a little different.