Comparison of Star Trek and Star Wars
However, the quality of the production and storytelling led to a cult classic following, which later resulted in a resurgence of interest in the franchise.
[4] With the subsequent publication of novels, comics, animated series, toys, and feature films which are still produced today, Star Trek grew into a popular media franchise and continues to draw large crowds.
A novelization titled Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker, based on the original script, was published about six months earlier.
], the Star Wars franchise includes twelve films, nine television series, books, comics, toys, and more.
The franchise was conceived in the style of the television Western Wagon Train and the adventure stories of Horatio Hornblower, but evolved into a utopian prospect of future human society.
Inspired by Gulliver's Travels,[6][7] Star Trek's main focus is on space exploration and a galactic society consisting of multiple planets and species, where conflict occasionally occurs.
Star Wars belongs to the space opera subgenre of science fiction that follows The Hero's Journey,[8] which stands for the proposition that personal change occurs and is necessary when confronting significant problems, and was inspired by works such as Beowulf, King Arthur[9] and other mythologies, world religions, as well as ancient and medieval history.
Though there are periods of peace, these are only documented in novels, comics, video games, non-feature films, and other spin-off media.
[citation needed] Aside from both having the word star in their titles, the two franchises have much in common, with both having their origins in the space Western subgenre.
The primary philosophies of Star Trek convey the morals of exploration and interference and how to properly confront and ethically resolve numerous new challenges.
[citation needed] Actors from both franchises have appeared on common television series such as The Outer Limits and Sea Quest.
Several episodes from various Star Trek television series, such as "Who Mourns for Adonais," are directly based on ancient Phoenician-Greek themes and settings.
[22] The director of Wrath of Khan, Nicholas Meyer, from which Star Trek Into Darkness borrowed lines and plot elements, revealed in 2018 that he was disappointed with the film, saying: "In my sort of artistic worldview, if you're going to do an homage, you have to add something.
Just by putting the same words in different characters' mouths didn't add up to anything, and if you have someone dying in one scene and sort of being resurrected immediately after there's no real drama going on.
During an interview with talk show host and journalist Charlie Rose that aired on December 24, 2015, Lucas likened his decision to sell Lucasfilm to Disney to a divorce, and outlined the creative differences between him and the producers of The Force Awakens.
The comment was interpreted as Lucas liking the Rian Johnson written and directed sequel more than The Force Awakens.
The Rise of Skywalker was also criticized for being another derivative remake of a previous film in the franchise, this time of the Lucas-written Return of the Jedi.
In the 2013 film Into Darkness, Khan is played by Londoner Benedict Cumberbatch, whom some perceived as replacing an explicitly non-white character in the Star Trek canon with a light-skinned European actor, something that had been termed whitewashing by some.
[39] Star Trek: Voyager, actor Garrett Wang stated, "The casting of Cumberbatch was a mistake on the part of the producers.
[The script] was a little bit of a collection of scenes that were written by my friends.... And yet, I found myself frustrated by my choices, and unable to hang my hat on an undeniable thread of the main story.
It is difficult to accurately judge the total worth of each franchise as the many television series, novels, memorabilia, video games, and other factors must be taken into account.
"[47] He finds the Star Wars universe flawed with additional forms of absolutism, such as justified emotions leading a good person to evil – for example citing the idea that Luke Skywalker killing Palpatine would somehow turn him to the dark side, despite the act potentially saving millions of lives.
Among the many other flaws he sees with Star Wars is that Anakin Skywalker becomes a hero at the end of Return of the Jedi simply because he saved his son's life, while the atrocities he committed during his time in power go largely ignored.
In contrast, he argues that, despite its flaws, Star Trek is "democratic," takes up more multifaceted issues, and values "cooperation and wit.
"[48] Tim Russ, who played Tuvok in the Star Trek: Voyager television series, claims that it is difficult to find common enough elements to be able to compare the two.
He echoed Shatner that Star Trek reflects common human issues, the morals of exploration, and considers ethical questions.
Star Wars in his view is a classic medieval tale dressed up as action-adventure, and that embraces the Eastern philosophy of inner strength.
He clarified this statement by explaining that at the time of the release of the first Star Wars film (A New Hope), Paramount, then under new management, was struggling to come up with something that could compete with it.
[59] When Roddenberry was honored at a Star Trek convention late in life, a congratulatory letter from Lucas was presented by an actor dressed as Darth Vader.
[61] In 2015, at a live concert, Shatner dressed as an imperial stormtrooper singing "Girl Crush" alongside Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.
