Exclusive Interview: Animation Legend Casper Kelly Unveils Exciting Animated Star Trek Shorts at SDCC 2023!

Summary

Star Trek's animation legacy spans 50 years and has evolved to include multiple series, appealing to both new and hardcore fans.

Casper Kelly is developing five animated shorts that push the boundaries of the Star Trek universe, skillfully combining comedy with a true dedication to the franchise.

Through animation, Star Trek can delve into ideas and visuals that may not be possible in live-action, all while preserving a positive outlook on the future.

Star Trek, a globally renowned franchise, has garnered immense popularity since its debut in 1966. Over the years, it has gone beyond the original live-action series and included various animated adaptations. The first animated series, Star Trek: The Animated Series, aired in 1973, continuing the adventures of Captain Kirk and the original Starfleet crew. With the ongoing success of Star Trek, multiple series are currently airing, including the highly acclaimed animated series, Star Trek: Lower Decks.

In celebration of Star Trek's illustrious 50-year animation legacy, the franchise is proud to present a new collection of animated shorts created by the esteemed Casper Kelly. Kelly, a well-known television writer, director, producer, and dedicated Star Trek enthusiast, brings a fresh perspective to the beloved series after contributing to numerous successful Adult Swim animated shows.

Casper Kelly Talks Star Trek's Legacy In Animation

Screen Rant: Star Trek is commemorating its 50th year in animation. Could you discuss the franchise's evolution in relation to the general audience and the animation aspect?

Casper Kelly: Absolutely. Without a doubt, the original Star Trek live-action series faced an untimely cancellation. However, this setback led to the creation of the animated show, which can be seen as a continuation of seasons four and five of the original series. Following a subsequent hiatus, the Next Generation era commenced, followed by another gap. Nonetheless, we are now fortunate to have a multitude of captivating shows within the Star Trek universe.

Star Trek is experiencing a significant revival, beginning with Discovery. Alongside Lower Decks, Strange New Worlds, and Prodigy, there is now a plethora of content in the Star Trek universe. Could you please provide some insights into your Star Trek animated project?

Casper Kelly is currently involved in the production of five promotional shorts, each around three minutes long. These shorts were originally scripted, but Casper, along with Claire Friedman and Aaron Waltke, is in the process of rewriting them. Working with Alex Kurtzman, who admires Casper's work on Adult Swim and the Wonder Twins shorts, they are brainstorming ideas for the project. Alex encouraged Casper to take risks and experiment with the content, even if it includes elements that are not typically seen in Star Trek. However, Casper still aims to remain faithful to the essence of the Star Trek universe while exploring new creative possibilities.

Is the tone going to be similar to Lower Decks or is it going to be unique?

Casper Kelly: It's a valid question. Lower Decks is fantastic and has a slightly different comedic style. If we were to compare it metaphorically, Lower Decks might be like Seinfeld, while this show might be more akin to SNL or Always Sunny. It's sort of heading in that direction, but I realize this analogy is not very accurate. When you watch both shows, you'll probably wonder what I meant by that. Essentially, they differ comedically and tonally. Apologies for my inability to articulate properly.

What does animation bring to Star Trek that the live-action really can't?

Casper Kelly believes that the original animated series of Star Trek offered opportunities for creative expression that may have been limited by budget constraints in the live action series. For example, the use of a Holodeck sequence set in an ice storm would have been challenging to produce in live action. Additionally, Kelly acknowledges that both mediums have their unique advantages, although he doesn't specify what these are.

In today's world, having both animated and live action forms for Star Trek is considered advantageous. Furthermore, Kelly believes that what sets Star Trek apart, perhaps now more than ever, is its optimistic portrayal of the future. Despite the existence of various problems, the show focuses on resolving these issues and striving for improvement. This hopeful perspective distinguishes Star Trek from other science fiction narratives that tend to be dystopian in nature.

As a Star Trek fan, it seems clear that Discovery was a fantastic starting point for newcomers. However, I'm curious to know where you would suggest beginning for a new audience.

Casper Kelly: Well, I would definitely recommend starting with these short videos. They have been specifically created to appeal to casual fans and will be easily accessible on platforms like social media or Instagram. We are still working out the details regarding their availability. However, we want to make sure people have the opportunity to watch them. Additionally, a great recommendation for newcomers would be Lower Decks, as it is quite captivating and engaging for someone looking to jump into the series.

Please watch my shorts after you have seen them, as I am eager to create more. There are possibilities of making additional ones, and your support is greatly appreciated.

Can you provide any hints about the characters featured in the upcoming shorts?

Casper Kelly: Absolutely! I'll give you more than just a hint. So you're already aware of the incredible cast members we have confirmed—Sorrow, Riker, and Quark. Rest assured, I have more phenomenal talents in the pipeline, although we can't disclose them just yet due to various reasons. But trust me, I am bursting with excitement. There was this one person who initially had reservations about returning to the game, and I had to compose an extensive letter as a fervent fan to persuade them. Well, guess what? They're on board now! Additionally, I'll be introducing fresh faces to the Star Trek universe—actors who have never before experienced the thrill of being part of this stellar franchise.

Are you looking forward to the crossover between Star Trek: Lower Decks and Strange New World?

Casper Kelly: Absolutely! I'm thrilled about it. Additionally, I'm also working on some exciting projects involving the shorts and a comic book. It's incredibly enjoyable for me to bring together various characters from the entire Star Trek universe, and that's what truly brings me joy.

Let's discuss the comic book that will be unveiled at New York Comic-Con. Can you provide some details about it and what fans can anticipate?

Casper Kelly: Certainly. The comic book is illustrated by the talented Jonathan Case and showcases a blend of the animated series and the 1960s Gold Key Star Trek style. It pays tribute to that era. The story revolves around the crew's investigation of a renegade federation scientist who holds a peculiar belief that their entire reality is actually a 1970s animated cartoon. As they delve deeper into this theory, things take a turn for the worse.

Can we expect a Star Trek live-action series with an Adult Swim-like vibe in the future?

Casper Kelly is open to the idea and there are discussions about him working on more live-action projects. It would certainly be exciting if it happened.

Which captain do you prefer? Personally, I'm a fan of Jonathan Archer.

Casper Kelly: Well, I have to say Kirk because he was the first captain I ever saw... Although I truly admire all of them. When I was a kid, I actually wanted to change my first name to captain. I wanted to be like Captain Kirk, so I told my mom. But she reminded me that captain is a title, not a name. I didn't understand her, I just insisted on being called captain.

Star Trek has maintained its relevance and garnered a strong fan base for over 50 years. What is your perspective on why it continues to captivate audiences to this day?

It is. Now I got to ask you about Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell.

Casper Kelly expressed gratitude and mentioned the possibility of future developments, drawing a parallel to the revival of Aqua Teen and the subsequent release of a film. With hopes of something similar happening, he inquired if any executives were present to approve such a project. Additionally, he asked about the Star Trek series or character that captivated their interest, referencing Kirk as a potential favorite.

Casper Kelly mentioned that Spock and Data appealed to him as an awkward kid. He found it relatable when they didn't comprehend emotions and questioned why people behaved a certain way. In a sense, it symbolized the feeling of adolescent awkwardness. This is what attracted him to these characters.