Audiences have not forgotten the great Gene Roddenberry, the man who introduced them to the world of Star Trek. Roddenberry was the creator of the original Star Trek series along with Star Trek: The Animated Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
While no one can deny Roddenberry’s stamp on creating one of pop culture’s most iconic franchises, he is also reportedly known to be a womanizer. Roddenberry had a secret affair with Star Trek star Nichelle Nichols when he was already married to Eileen-Anita Rexroat.
Nichelle Nichols Reflected on Her Secret Affair With Gene Roddenberry
Gene Roddenberry had a solid reputation in Hollywood and his contribution to the Star Trek world has been celebrated over the years and various filmmakers are still trying to recreate the magic of the show with the Star Trek film series. However, Roddenberry reportedly had several affairs with many women including members of his Star Trek series.
It seems Roddenberry had an affair with Nichelle Nichols who played Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek series. Roddenberry was already married to Eileen-Anita Rexroat at the time and both kept their relationship a secret. The actress reflected on the affair in her memoir titled Beyond Uhura. The actress spoke of Roddenberry’s attraction towards women saying “he had a voracious appetite” (via Orlando Sentinel) and also calling him an incredible man in 2013 (via YouTube).
However, it seems Roddenberry was also attracted to another Star Trek actress Majel Barrett who played Nurse Christine Chapel. Nichols ended the affair while Roddenberry divorced Rexroat and ended up marrying Barrett in 1969. They had a son Rod Roddenberry, who is the executive producer of Star Trek: Picard.
New Star Trek Prequel Film Is in the Works At Paramount
The modern Star Trek films including 2009’s Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond were loved by critics and audiences. Many have been clamoring for a fourth film in the franchise and it has been 7-8 years since the last film. It was recently announced that a new Star Trek film is in development (via Variety).
The prequel film is set years before 2009’s Star Trek and will be an origin story set within the Kelvin Timeline. It will be directed by Toby Haynes who directed episodes of Andor and will be written by Seth Grahame-Smith. As of now, no news about its casting has been revealed. It remains to be seen how the prequel film contributes to the whole Star Trek lore.
Paramount is also in development of the fourth and final Star Trek film led by Chris Pine. The film has been in development hell as there have been several directors and writers who have come on board and left over the years. Most recently, Matt Shakman was supposed to direct the film but left to direct Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four film.
The studio must settle on a writer and director soon as it has been too long since its announcement in 2016. The actors including Pine have been frustrated with the delay in getting the material right and they must reach an agreement as soon as possible.
