Star Trek’s Section 31 Movie Is The Perfect Way To Bring Back Discovery’s Best Villain

Star Trek: Section 31 is the perfect movie to bring back Star Trek: Discovery season 1's iconic villain. Following Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh's Emperor Philippa Georgiou, Section 31 is is primarily set in Star Trek's "lost era" of the early 24th century. As glimpsed in the official trailer, Section 31 will also contain flashbacks to Georgiou's life in the Mirror Universe. Flashbacks and time-travel shenanigans open up the door for Star Trek characters from the past to return, even those that have been killed off.

Star Trek's Section 31 Movie Is The Perfect Way To Bring Back Discovery's Best Villain

With its colorful marketing and action-packed trailer, Section 31 is set to be a Star Trek film unlike anything viewers have seen before. It has been confirmed that at least one Star Trek legacy character will play a role in Section 31 — Rachel Garrett (Kacey Rohl), who first appeared as Captain Rachel Garrett (Tricia O'Neil) in the classic Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, "Yesterday's Enterprise." It remains to be seen whether any other previously established characters will appear, but Section 31's setup provides the perfect excuse to bring back Star Trek: Discovery's Gabriel Lorca (Jason Isaacs).

Star Trek: Section 31 Is The Perfect Way To Bring Back Discovery’s Villain, Lorca

Star Trek: Section 31 Premieres On Paramount+ On January 24, 2025

Although Emperor Georgiou had many enemies on Star Trek: Discovery, Gabriel Lorca was her greatest adversary in Star Trek's Mirror Universe. Lorca led a coup against Georgiou before the events of Discovery season 1 and tried to overthrow her again when Gabriel led the USS Discovery into the Mirror Universe. While Section 31 features a heist storyline with present-day Georgiou, flashbacks to Philippa's rise as Terran Emperor play a pivotal role. Considering these scenes take place in the Mirror Universe before Georgiou traveled to the Prime Universe, Lorca could potentially show his face.

While Gabriel Lorca could appear in Star Trek: Section 31's Mirror Universe flashbacks, he could also be brought back by some other science fiction means. Star Trek has resurrected many characters, and Lorca's villainous energy would be the perfect fit for a movie like Section 31. The trailers for Section 31 have also hinted at a secret threat looming over the events of the film. What if Lorca has something to do with this threat and Paramount+ has been keeping his return a secret? Jason Isaacs has mentioned in past interviews that he would be willing to return to Star Trek, so anything is possible.

Lorca’s Return To Section 31 Is What Star Trek Fans Want

Star Trek Should Find A Way To Bring Jason Isaacs Back As Lorca

Star Trek Discovery Lorca

Star Trek: Section 31 already has a long list of characters, but an appearance by Jason Isaacs' Gabriel Lorca would be more than welcome for many Trek fans. Alongside Michelle Yeoh, Jason Isaacs was one of the most recognizable faces in Star Trek: Discovery season 1, and it would be great to see these two high-caliber actors face off again. Georgiou killed Mirror Universe Lorca on screen in Discovery, but he remains one of the most popular characters to emerge from the show's early seasons. Lorca was such a fun villain and it would be great to see him return in some capacity.

Whether or not Lorca returns in Section 31, the film could set up his future return in a possible sequel.

Star Trek: Discovery only offered glimpses into Georgiou's past with Lorca, but Star Trek: Section 31 could dive deeper into their complex relationship. Whether or not Lorca returns in Section 31, the film could set up his future return in a possible sequel. If Star Trek: Section 31 does well for Paramount+, it could open the door for other Trek projects with similar themes. Georgiou and Lorca are such interesting characters, played by such great actors, that an entire movie (or even a miniseries) could be dedicated to their undoubtedly epic Star Trek rematch.