What if lucas had steered star trek? a sci-fi parallel universe
Imagine a Hollywood where George Lucas, instead of birthing the galaxy far, far away, captained the USS Enterprise. It's a tantalizing “what if” scenario, and it turns out the possibility was far closer to reality than most fans realize. Philip Kaufman, the director of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, just dropped a bombshell detailing Lucas's near-acquisition of the Star Trek franchise—a missed opportunity that fundamentally altered the course of science fiction history.
The lucas-roddenberry intersection: a deal that almost was
Before Star Wars exploded onto the scene, Lucas reportedly circled Star Trek, gauging its availability for purchase. Kaufman's recollections, published decades ago in New Times and resurfaced by Slashfilm, paint a picture of a young Lucas captivated by the potential of Gene Roddenberry’s vision. He apparently felt overwhelmed by the prospect of directing a cinematic adaptation, a project stalled within Paramount Pictures at the time.
The mid-1970s were a strange juncture for both franchises. Star Trek, having concluded its original television run in 1969, was struggling to make the leap to the big screen. Lucas, fresh off the unexpected success of American Graffiti, lacked the clout to acquire such an established property—but the seed of interest was undeniably planted. He ultimately opted for the audacity of creating his own universe, a gamble that paid off spectacularly.
A divergent evolution: myth vs. exploration
The divergence in their approaches is striking. While Star Wars embraced mythology, adventure, and the eternal battle between good and evil, Star Trek prioritized scientific exploration, diplomatic endeavors, and philosophical reflection. Both, however, share recognizable DNA – galactic governments, diverse inhabited worlds, and sprawling political conflicts. The subtle influence of Star Trek on Lucas’s work is undeniable; he admitted watching episodes while crafting the Star Wars script, and elements like galactic senates and interspecies alliances find echoes in both franchises.
The real shockwave lies in the potential ramifications. Had Lucas secured Star Trek, the entertainment landscape might look vastly different. Star Wars, as we know it—a cultural behemoth spawning billions of dollars, influencing generations of filmmakers, and inspiring works like Ridley Scott's Alien—might never have existed. Consider the absence of Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and the Force – an almost unimaginable void in modern pop culture.
This near-miss highlights a crucial turning point in cinematic history, a moment where the trajectory of science fiction hung in the balance. The independent evolution of these two franchises has undeniably enriched the genre, each forging its own distinct path. And it was a decision, a calculated risk, that cemented Lucas's place in Hollywood history, and gave the world a galaxy to call its own.