The supposed competition between Star Trek and Star Wars fans is likely overblown. Many of the actors who’ve worked on these shows don’t seem to see a real divide, as several have appeared in projects from both franchises – sometimes as small roles, and other times as main characters. It’s a unique achievement to be part of two such iconic science fiction series.
It’s interesting to compare actors who’ve appeared in both film series, and how their performances change depending on which one they’re in. These different portrayals reveal a lot about the overall feel of each series, as well as the actors’ skills and how they adapt to different roles. It makes you wonder who will join this group next.
Clive Revill Went From Emperor To Diplomat
The final design of the Imperial Leader in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back went through several changes. Interestingly, the character was originally voiced by Clive Revill, and the appearance likely looked quite different before settling on the final version.
Everyone remembers Ian McDiarmid as Palpatine, but did you know Peter Revill had a great sci-fi career too? It’s funny, because after playing the Emperor, he ended up taking on a completely different role. In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country from 1991, he was Ki Mendrossen, a Klingon ambassador. He was a really interesting character – tough and unyielding, but also clearly very smart.
David Warner Reappears Throughout Trek Lore
For dedicated Star Wars fans, David Warner played a memorable role that significantly contributed to the franchise’s overall story. He appeared in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as an assistant to Chancellor Valorum, and also lent his voice to the character of Grand General Malcor Brashin in the Star Wars: Force Commander video game.
While he’s worked on many projects, Warner is best known for his roles in Star Trek. He played St. John Talbot, a Federation representative on Nimbus III, across several storylines. Notably, in 1991, he gave a memorable performance as Chancellor Gorkon in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, which was a significant part in the franchise.
Greg Ellis Is A Chameleon
Greg Ellis has been involved in many Star Wars projects. He provided the voice for Mical, played the pirate Turk Falso in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and appeared as Baron Valen Rudor in Star Wars Rebels. He even made a brief appearance as a First Order officer in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.
It was clear Ellis was skilled with ships, as evidenced by his role in the 2009 Star Trek reboot. He played Chief Engineer Olson, a key technical specialist who maintained the USS Enterprise. Although he wasn’t in the later Star Trek movies, his contribution to the first film was significant.
Faran Tahir Was Once A Captain
Faran Tahir has had a remarkable career, rising from minor roles to significant parts. A good example of this growth is his work in Star Wars. In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, he played an Imperial Officer aboard the Death Star. While a position of some authority, the character was ultimately just one small part of a larger system.
In the 2009 Star Trek film, the actor has a significantly larger role. He plays Captain Richard Robau of the USS Kelvin. The destruction of his ship is a key event that sets the story in motion, and without his contribution to the franchise, the timeline would have unfolded very differently.
Greg Grunberg’s Star Wars Role Is Bigger Than Fans Think
Greg Gunberg portrays a surprisingly impactful, yet often overlooked, character in the recent Star Wars sequels. Known as ‘Snap,’ he appears in both The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker. The character originated in Star Wars comics and is especially prominent in the Aftermath trilogy of novels, making him a great addition from the expanded universe.
In the 2009 Star Trek film, actor Grunberg plays a much harsher and less admirable character than many others in the series. He voices Kirk’s difficult stepfather, who is immediately upset about Kirk taking his Corvette at the beginning of the movie. Even though it’s only a voice role, the character Grunberg creates has a significant impact on Kirk and the overall story.
Ron Perlman Needs A Starring Role
Ron Perlman is a well-known actor with a long history in popular fantasy and science fiction. Despite appearing in several major franchises, many feel his roles haven’t fully showcased his talent. For example, he voiced the character Gha Nachkt, a Trandoshan salvage ship captain, in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Perlman’s connection to Star Trek goes way back. He first appeared in the 2002 film Star Trek: Nemesis, which starred Tom Hardy as the villain. In that movie, Perlman played The Reman Viceroy, a role that required so much makeup and prosthetics that most viewers wouldn’t have known it was him.
Karl Urban Reinvents A Classic Character
Karl Urban seems to appear in a lot of popular franchises, including The Boys, Marvel, and now Star Wars. Don’t worry if you missed it, though – his role in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker is a quick cameo as a Stormtrooper.
J.J. Abrams, who directed the recent Star Trek movies, is involved in this project. He previously worked with Karl Urban on those films, where Urban played the memorable Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy. Urban is a strong and important actor, and fans would likely welcome his return if the series continues.
Deep Roy Has Been a Big Part in 2 Galaxies
Deep Roy is a skilled actor who initially worked on the Star Wars films as a stand-in for the Yoda character. Later, in the final movie of the original trilogy, he got to fully showcase his talents playing an Ewok – one of the brave creatures who helped defeat the Empire on the forest moon of Endor.
Deep Roy really showcased his comedic talent in the Star Trek movies. He played Keenser, a Roylan and Starfleet engineer with a funny, often complex connection to Scotty. Their on-screen chemistry was excellent, and Keenser consistently stole the show.
Simon Pegg Got To Live The Dream
Simon Pegg is a huge fan of science fiction and fantasy, and he was fascinated with popular franchises like Star Wars as a child. He’s even appeared in Star Wars films, playing Unkar Plutt in The Force Awakens and Dengar in other installments.
Simon Pegg is also a main actor in the new Star Trek movies. He plays Scotty, a Scottish engineer essential to the crew of the USS Enterprise. Because Pegg frequently works with director J.J. Abrams, he’s likely to be among the first contacted if the series continues.
Christopher Lloyd Continues To Be An Icon
Christopher Lloyd is a highly respected and beloved actor. When he joined the cast of The Mandalorian, fans were understandably excited. He delivered a compelling performance as a character who stubbornly believed in a lost cause, adding depth and complexity to the role.
Ricardo Montalbán also played a role, this time as a ruthless Klingon commander named Kruge. Kruge was a cold and brutal character, dedicated to achieving his goals through violence. Montalbán consistently excels at portraying villains.
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2026-05-22 23:40