Two of Hollywood’s biggest stars got their big break inStar Trekmovies. TheStar Trekfranchise has a long history of making strong casting choices, fromStar Trek: The Original Seriesthrough today.For many actors,Star Trekwas their first notable rolebefore they went on to have incredible Hollywood careers. Patrick Stewart, for example, was referred to as"an unknown British actor"when he was cast as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, but theStar Trek: The Next Generationactor has since become a legend of film and television.
TheStar Trekmovies, too, have helped jumpstart the careers of a few Hollywood stars. Chris Pine and Zoe Saldaña already had notable roles beforeStar Trek(2009), but the J.J. Abrams film helped launch both actors into another level of superstardom.Star Trek: Nemesisdid not perform particularly well at the box office and received mixed reviews, but that didn’t matter for the future star ofThe Dark Knight RisesandVenomstar.Another Marvel superhero earned his first significant role in J.J. Abrams’Star Trek(2009)and has since become one of Hollywood’s biggest superstars.
Star Trek Gave Tom Hardy & Chris Hemsworth Their First Notable Movie Roles
Tom Hardy & Chris Hemsworth Have Become Hollywood Superstars
Star Trek: Nemesisput an end toStar Trek: The Next Generationas a movie franchise, but it helped launchTom Hardy’s impressive film career. As Captain Picard’s villainous clone, Shinzon, Hardy showed hints of the greatness that was to come, even if his character wasn’t particularly well-defined.Hardy’s career only went up from here,from memorable roles in Christopher Nolan’sInceptionandThe Dark Knight Risesto starring roles inMad Max: Fury RoadandVenom. Hardy was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance inThe Revenantalongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
I Saw Star Trek: Nemesis In 2002 & Had No Idea I Was Witnessing The Birth Of A Star
Star Trek: Nemesis introduced Tom Hardy as Shinzon, and the Academy Award nominee’s career has outshined the final TNG movie.
InStar Trek(2009), Chris Hemsworth had the small, but incredibly significant role of Lieutenant George Kirk just two years before he became the God of Thunder in 2011’sThor.Hemsworth has portrayedThorin eight Marvel Cinematic Universe filmsand had a brief cameo in the mid-credits scene ofDoctor Strange. Despite the demands of appearing in many Marvel Studios movies, Hemsworth still managed to snag significant roles in numerous other films, including 2016’sGhostbusters, 12 Strong,Extraction, andFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga. Hemsworth has stated his desire to continue playing Thor, but nothing has been confirmed regardingThor’s MCU return.
Star Trek’s Ability To Create Stars Highlights Its Enduring Influence
Star Trek Creates & Attracts Major Hollywood Stars
Nearly sixty years after its premiere,Star Trekcontinues to be incredibly influential. Not only hasStar Trekhelped create several blockbuster movie stars over the years, butStar Treknow attracts some surprising actorswho already have well-established careers. Even back in the early days ofStar Trek: The Next Generation,Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg requested a role on the showbecause she wanted to be a part ofStar Trek.Several Hollywood stars have spoken about their love forStar Trek,including Nicolas Cage and James McAvoy.
Star Trekwill likely continue to launch new actors into superstardom.
Actors likeMichelle Yeoh, Jason Isaacs, and Rebecca Romijn had already appeared in major Hollywood filmsbefore joining the casts ofStar Trek: DiscoveryandStar Trek: Strange New Worlds. Academy Award winners Paul Giamatti and Holly Hunter have both been tapped to appear in the upcomingStar Trek: Starfleet Academy.Star Trekwill likely continue to launch new actors into superstardom as well. Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Celia Rose Gooding, and Christina Chong ofStar Trek: Strange New Worldshave already proven to be incredibly talented actors who could have major Hollywood careers ahead of them.
