Exclusive: Science Picks Up Star Trek Documentary From Gene Roddenberry's Son
Star Trek
Science Channel is boldly going where it hasn't before, partnering with Rod Roddenberry Jr., the son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, to produce and air the documentary Trek Nation.
Timed to the 45th anniversary of the original Star Trek, the feature-length special will follow Roddenberry Jr. as he goes on a journey to learn more about his father, while documenting the continued celebration of the show (and its many spinoffs) by fans.
Science became aware of the project after finding Roddenberry Jr.'s website. "He's got the keys to the Roddenberry treasure of never-before-seen footage," says the channel's general manager, Debbie Myers. Adds executive producer Bernadette McDaid: "There's footage of Gene's wedding, which has never been seen, as well as footage from the first-ever Star Trek convention... we helped them take this treasure trove and shape it into a two-hour narrative. This is the ultimate first-hand testimony."
The documentary includes clips from the show and interviews with original cast members. It also includes interviews from famous fans like George Lucas, J.J. Abrams and Stan Lee. "Star Trek and Roddenberry influenced so many lives," Myers said.
Roddenberry Jr. began working on the documentary that would become Trek Nation more than 10 years ago.
"My father passed away when I was 17," Roddenberry Jr. says. "I was a rebellious kid, and he was more of an authority figure than a father. I didn't understand Star Trek until he passed away... but then I went to Star Trek conventions, and talked to people, and eventually became so proud of the name 'Roddenberry.'"
While Roddenberry first saw the project as an opportunity to do a piece about Star Trek fans, he eventually took the advice to also make it more personal.
Trek Nation will air on Science in October.
Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!