Will Star Trek use deepfake technology? The showrunner responds.

In an interview with SFX Magazine, Akiva Goldsman was asked about the unexpected appearance of Captain James T. Kirk’s (William Shatner) body in Season 3 Star Trek: Picard and whether there are plans to “resurrect” Kirk with a digital, younger Shatner.

“It’s really hard to figure out how to do it, but I’m not against it. We just don’t have plans for that. There are a few things I would change beforehand if I could and digital performers could help me with that. In theory, I think so. Unfortunately, in practice we have no plans for this.”

Goldsman has also expressed a desire to change elements of Star Trek that do not satisfy fans or himself. In particular, Captain Kirk’s death in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Star Trek – without deepfakes, but with remakes

Star Trek is a franchise that, instead of using deepfakes, used other actors to impersonate already known characters. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, playing young Kirk and Spock, were well received by viewers, which allowed the introduction of Captain Pike in season 2 Star Trek: Discovery by Anson Mount, which led to the uprising Star Trek: Strange New Worldsa Paramount+ hit.

Many fans say that the new actors enhance the portrayals of famous characters without relying on digital alterations.
However, it seems that Star Trek’s use of deepfakes is only a matter of time.