Michelle Yeoh Starring in ‘Star Trek’ Movie

The planned series is being turned into an event movie for the streaming service. Plus, there’s word on a new Galaxy Quest series in development.

Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou on Paramount+'s 'Star Trek: Discovery.'

Michelle Yeoh made a big impact on the world of ‘Star Trek’ from the very first episode of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’. As Captain Phillipa Georgiou, she was a powerful presence… at least (spoiler alert if you’ve somehow not caught up on the episode, which screened in 2017) until she died at the hands (and blade) of a Klingon warrior.

Yet that was not the end for Yeoh’s story –– a trip to the Mirror Universe (established all the way back in the 1960s original ‘Star Trek’) revealed that there was another Georgiou –– and she was Emperor of the cruel Terran Empire. She eventually ended up helping our heroes, and in a deleted scene, was approached by a member of the stealthy organization Section 31.

In 2019, we learned that Paramount+ was developing a series featuring Georgiou working for Section 31, but plans have now shifted. Yeoh will now star in a TV movie called ‘Star Trek: Section 31.'

'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' (1993 - 1999).

What is Section 31?

First introduced in ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’, Section 31 was an organization which claimed to protect the security interests of United Earth and, later, the United Federation of Planets. During the mid-23rd century, they were considered a critical division of Starfleet Intelligence, while by the 24th century, they were believed to be a rogue organization not considered part of the Federation but were in fact still part of Starfleet Intelligence.

There are no plot details for the show yet, beyond a basic synopsis: “Emperor Philippa Georgiou joins a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets and faces the sins of her past.”

Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou of the CBS All Access series 'Star Trek: Discovery.'

Who is making the movie?

Craig Sweeny is writing the script, with ‘Discovery’ veteran Olatunde Osunsanmi directing.

Here’s what Yeoh had to say about Georgiou’s return,

“I’m beyond thrilled to return to my ‘Star Trek’ family and to the role I’ve loved for so long. Section 31 has been near and dear to my heart since I began the journey of playing Philippa all the way back when this new golden age of ‘Star Trek’ launched. To see her finally get her moment is a dream come true in a year that’s shown me the incredible power of never giving up on your dreams. We can’t wait to share what’s in store for you, and until then: live long and prosper (unless Emperor Georgiou decrees otherwise)!”

Executive producer Alex Kurtzman adds,

“All the way back in 2017, before the first season of ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ had even aired, Michelle had the idea to do a spin-off for her character, Philippa Georgiou. She broke new ground as one of the first two women on screen in the pilot to usher in a new age of ‘Trek,’ and now, six years later, ‘Star Trek: Section 31’ finally arrives on the heels of her latest groundbreaking win. Everyone on Team ‘Trek’ couldn’t be more thrilled to have our legendary friend return home to us as we expand our storytelling into new and uncharted corners of the Trekverse. Long live Emperor Georgiou; long live Michelle Yeoh!”

Production on the movie will start later this year.

In related Paramount+ (and indirectly, ‘Star Trek’ news), there is a change going on for the TV series spin-off of 1999 movie ‘Galaxy Quest’.

The cult favorite film, directed by Dean Parisot, followed a ragtag group of actors played Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, and Daryl Mitchell who all once starred on a ‘Trek’-alike series called ‘Galaxy Quest’.

One night, after their latest convention outing, the group is contacted by aliens who think their adventures are historical documents and have created a real version of their ship. There’s just one catch… the extraterrestrials need their help to fight the evil, powerful alien warlord Sarris (Robin Sachs). With the help of some young fans (including one played by Justin Long), they’re able to succeed.

It has been a long road for development on a series based on the movie, but Paramount+ is trying again.

(L to R) Sam Rockwell, Alan Rickman, Tim Allen, Daryl Mitchell, Sigourney Weaver, and Tony Shalhoub in 'Galaxy Quest.' Photo: DreamWorks.

What happened to the ‘Galaxy Quest’ series before?

Paramount TV and Amazon were reported as developing a show aimed at continuing the story of the movie back in 2015. Writer Robert Gordon (who was one of the scribes on the movie), was aboard to craft a series script, but problems began over casting the original stars, and that was compounded by the tragic death of Rickman in January 2016.

Yet there was still hope it could get made; actor, comedian and writer Paul Scheer took over a couple of years later and seemed upbeat about the idea.

Here’s what Scheer said to Deadline,

“Without giving much away, I don’t think there has ever been a better time to continue the ‘Galaxy Quest’ story with the explosion and popularity of sci-fi films in recent years. To be able to create and be a part of this world is just mind-blowing, and I’m approaching this truly as what I’d like to see as a fan.”

Despite all that seemingly positive movement, the series lingered in space dock, seemingly unable to find traction.

Amazon quietly dropped the idea recently, but Paramount is not ready to give up, with another version now at an early stage via Paramount+.

Little has been announced about what shape it could take or whether the cast will be involved this time; indeed, no writer or director is attached yet. Mark Johnson, who was an executive producer on the 1999 movie, is driving development of the show, and the search is likely now on for a writer to flesh out the concept.

By Grabthar’s Hammer, it still has a chance!