Summary

• Star Trek's untitled prequel movie should include Scott Bakula as Jonathan Archer to honor the series' history and fans.
• Bakula's return would add legitimacy to the prequel movie and connect it to the established Star Trek canon.
• Jonathan Archer's importance as the father of the Federation makes him a crucial character to include in the film.

Star Trek's Prime Timeline before the creation of Abrams' alternate Kelvin timeline. Star Trek's prequel movie is also said to be set mostly on Earth, with humanity dealing with aliens and the founding of the United Federation of Planets. This calls for Scott Bakula to return as Jonathan Archer.

What's been reported about Star Trek's prequel movie seems to set it in the 22nd century, likely after Star Trek: Enterprise if it deals with the creation of the Federation. Star Trek: Enterprise's controversial finale showed the events of 2161 when Captain Jonathan Archer gave a speech that marked the beginning of the United Federation of Planets. Archer went on to become the first Federation President and was hailed as the greatest explorer of his era thanks to his leadership of the NX-01 Enterprise during its historic voyages. This Star Trek canon cache - and Scott Bakula himself - would be invaluable to Star Trek's prequel movie.

Scott Bakula Could Be For Star Trek’s Prequel Movie What Leonard Nimoy Was For J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek

Archer has already been acknowledged by Star Trek movies

Scott Bakula appearing in Star Trek's prequel movie as Jonathan Archer would be as vital as Leonard Nimoy was to J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009). Nimoy reprised Ambassador Spock (also known as Spock Prime), who crossed over into the alternate Kelvin timeline he was partly responsible for creating. More importantly, Nimoy served as a bridge to longtime Star Trek fans that helped them accept the rebooted young cast of Star Trek (2009), and the film's premise of the USS Enterprise in an alternate reality. Leonard Nimoy's presence assured skeptical Trekkers that J.J. Abrams' reboot was, indeed, Star Trek.

Scott Bakula is no stranger to appearing in feature films like Necessary Roughness, Source Code, and American Beauty.

Scott Bakula reprising Jonathan Archer in Star Trek's prequel movie would have the same effect Leonard Nimoy's Spock did in Star Trek (2009). Nearly 20 years after Star Trek: Enterprise ended, Bakula's Jonathan Archer is acknowledged - and even revered - as a pivotal Star Trek legacy character. Bakula is also a beloved actor who has generations of fans from his hit shows like Quantum Leap, Men of a Certain Age, and NCIS: New Orleans. Scott Bakula returning as Jonathan Archer would signal to Trekkers skeptical about Toby Haynes' prequel that it is, indeed, Star Trek and will respect canon even as it adds new facets to Star Trek's established history,

Star Trek's prequel movie may premiere in theaters in 2026, which is the 60th anniversary of Star Trek and the 25th anniversary of the premiere of Star Trek: Enterprise.

Why Scott Bakula’s Archer Is Important To Star Trek’s Prequel Movie

Jonathan Archer is the father of the Federation

If Star Trek's prequel movie will deal with the founding of the Federation, then Scott Bakula's Jonathan Archer has to be part of it. Archer was the first Federation President, and his absence would be glaring. Jonathan Archer has also already been referenced in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009) when Scotty (Simon Pegg) told Spock and James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) that he tested transwarp beaming on "iral Archer's prized beagle." Whether it's Star Trek's Prime Timeline or alternate Kelvin timeline, Jonathan Archer is a major figure and a pillar of Star Trek history as not just the first Captain of the Starship Enterprise but, essentially, the father of the Federation.

Seeing Jonathan Archer return would grant legitimacy to Star Trek's Untitled Origin movie.

Star Trek's prequel doesn't have to utilize Scott Bakula's Jonathan Archer beyond a ing role if it's focusing on brand-new characters, but Scott Bakula appearing in the Untitled Star Trek Origin movie would be meaningful to Star Trek: Enterprise's fans, who never got satisfying closure. Archer becoming Federation President was only spoken of but never seen on-screen. More than mere fan service, seeing Jonathan Archer return would grant legitimacy to Star Trek's Untitled Origin movie, and firmly establish Scott Bakula as crucial to Star Trek history in movies and television.