Exclusive: Star Trek Lower Decks Characters Planned To Appear In Live-Action
Now, Giant Freakin Robot has learned Paramount is planning to bring the Lower Decks character to live-action, and better yet, we have some details on how audiences can expect to see it actually happen.
This article is more than 2 years old
With Picard and Discovery embracing some grimdark tones, Star Trek: Lower Decks has offered the universe a lighter take on the fun adventures of space travel. With the animated show an established part of the canon, the opportunity to bring the characters into live-action has always been there. Now, Giant Freakin Robot has learned Paramount is planning to do just that, and better yet, we have some details on how audiences can expect to see it actually happen. A trusted and proven inside for Giant Freakin Robot has shared that Paramount plans for some of the voice actors from Star Trek: Lower Decks to make their live-action debut in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
The trailer for Strange New Worlds had some levity to it, so it makes sense as a live-action entry point for the comedic Lower Decks characters. While our source reported that the new series is where Paramount plans for the Lower Decks characters to premiere, we aren’t sure when that will happen in the series. Will it be in season one? And which of the characters will show up?
While our source was unable to confirm which characters will make their live-action debut on Lower Decks, there’s plenty of room to speculate. Jack Quaid, who voices Ensign Brad Boimler, has a long history as a live-action actor. Last year, ComicBook.com asked him about the possibility of playing his character in live-action, and he was all for it, assuring fans that he’d be happy to dye his hair purple for the part. He went on to bring up some interesting points about the possibility of bringing Lower Decks characters into live-action.
It would be amazing to do that, and such a weird, interesting challenge. How do you make a cartoon character somewhat more grounded for a live actor? Maybe you don’t have to, I don’t know. It would be a really interesting thing to do. So, hopefully, in the future, oh my God. I’d jump at the chance to do that.
Jack Quaid
Jack Quaid’s comments bring up a couple of interesting ideas. Will they actually make him dye his hair purple if he is one of the Lower Decks characters chosen for Strange New Worlds? Will audiences recognize him without purple hair? Beyond that silly little question, there’s a bigger one around how the animated characters will be brought to live-action in terms of tone.
How will the Lower Decks characters be played in live-action? Will they still be as funny? Will they need to be more grounded, as Quaid mentioned? Lower Decks has such a fun and specific feel to it. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds doesn’t premiere until May 5 on Paramount+, but the trailer promises it has a lighthearted attitude. Still, it doesn’t appear to match the animated series with its hijinks, which are often direct jokes at the expense of some common live-action Star Trek tropes. It seems very likely that the Lower Decks characters will have small parts in Strange New Worlds as a way for Star Trek to test the waters with this new plan. Of course, that’s only speculation.
For now, we’ll be waiting to see which lucky characters are chosen for a Strange New Worlds debut, and how that will be handled. Hopefully, it’s a sign that the Lower Decks characters will continue to live on in the many Star Trek projects Paramount currently has in the works.
