Unveiling the Enigmatic Gorn Species in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds': Insider Insights from Legacy Effects Co-Founder

Summary

Legacy Effects, the VFX house behind Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian, designed the Gorn in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1 and returned for the season 2 finale.

In the season 2 finale, co-founder J. Alan Scott shares insights on the USS Enterprise crew's epic battle against various generations of Gorn. This includes an intense zero-gravity fight between Lt. Spock, Nurse Christine Chapel, and an adult Gorn. The show plans to delve deeper into the Gorn's abilities and communication in upcoming seasons.

In the season 2 finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the Gorn make a deadly return, thanks to the incredible visual effects work by J. Alan Scott and the team at Legacy Effects. Legacy Effects, known for their impressive creations such as Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian, was responsible for designing the Gorn in season 1 of Strange New Worlds. However, in the finale, the stakes are raised as the USS Enterprise crew battles various life stages of the man-eating Gorn, including hatchlings and younglings. The climax of the episode unveils an adult Gorn engaging in a zero gravity fight with Lt. Spock and Nurse Christine Chapel in outer space.

J. Alan Scott Of Legacy Effects Talks Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Screen Rant: Hey Alan, I take it you're responsible for all of my Gorn nightmares? Should I send my therapy bills to you?

J. Alan Scott: No, I leave that to the executives. My focus is solely on executing the vision.

I am in awe of the remarkable accomplishments of Legacy Effects. The extensive repertoire of shows and movies you have contributed to is truly impressive. Apart from the Gorn, could we explore some of your previous undertakings in Star Trek?

J. Alan Scott mentioned that they initially began working on Discovery with props, creating a few small creatures. The conversations about their involvement continued and they were later approached to redesign the Klingons. However, due to their limited timeline and capabilities, they had to decline the offer as they believed they wouldn't be able to do it justice. Nevertheless, the discussions persisted and eventually they joined the team for Strange New Worlds.

Scott expressed their admiration for the serialized version of Strange New Worlds, highlighting that it deviates from a "monster of the week" format and instead focuses on the development of recurring characters. They also appreciate the weekly introduction of new elements, which reminds them of what made The Original Series so beloved - the incorporation of overarching storylines and characters that viewers could grow with. Although this work can be stressful at times, especially as the exact details of the upcoming projects may only become clear a month in advance, it is precisely the unknown factor that adds excitement to their profession.

When I discovered the plan for the season 2 finale of Strange New Worlds, which involved an adult Gorn battling Spock in zero gravity in space, my initial reaction was, "Why didn't we discuss this earlier?" followed by a sense of eagerness to begin. The task of creating creature work, especially at the level expected for the Gorn character while paying tribute to the original series, was truly daunting. Furthermore, we had to design a suit that provided a glimpse of what was inside without completely revealing it. Additionally, we faced technical challenges of managing the production remotely from 3000 miles away and finding a suitable actor or performer to inhabit the suit.

We had already planned and strategized the direction and execution of the content. However, the urgency to get started on the mechanics, such as finding the right person and conducting necessary tests, became apparent. Additionally, we needed to suspend the actor in zero gravity throughout the entire sequence, which was completely different from anything we had done before. It was a combination of various elements that we had previously worked on, but now merged into one significant sequence.

Our task was to create a suit for an actor whom I may not have the opportunity to see, possibly due to COVID restrictions. We had to ensure that everything functioned smoothly and transport it to Toronto just days before shooting. This would be our initial encounter with the Strange New Worlds stunt team, who would assist Warren in navigating the intricacies of the elaborate and heavy suit. In addition to this, we had to incorporate wire work into the performance, all while dealing with numerous uncertainties. It was an immensely challenging endeavor, but I am extremely satisfied with the outcome.

You always find yourself yearning for more time, thinking, "I wish I could have approached that differently." However, that's the essence of life. You are confined to this particular moment in time, limited by a certain budget, and working with the available team. Moreover, you face various specific scenarios, but you make the most of every minute and invest all your energy into it. I firmly believe that there is always room for improvement, and our work is not complete until they say "wrap." We are continuously evolving and refining our approach as we gain insight into the expectations on set. It may seem overwhelming, but it is also incredibly exhilarating. Throughout the entire process, I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of problem-solving. That's where I thrive – when I receive the script pages and absorb their descriptions, endeavoring to bring to life the vision of the writers, directors, and the creative team. It is our responsibility to transform that vision into reality, and that, to me, is the most rewarding aspect of this job.

The fight scene with Spock and the Gorn in The Original Series featured impressive close-ups of the Gorn's helmet and face. In terms of communication abilities, there are considerations for the design of the Gorn's mouths in Strange New Worlds. It is uncertain whether the Gorn will speak a language understood by others or if they will use subtitles or unique vocalizations such as guttural clicks. The decision regarding their communication method has not been finalized yet. The creature's design process has prompted these questions, but a definitive answer is currently unavailable as it has not been required thus far.

The gradual and thrilling unveiling of the Gorn has been captivating. It possesses the ability to speak, evidenced by its lips. We took care to ensure that it was more than simply a T-Rex or a raptor, with lips that could actually close. However, it remains uncertain whether it will communicate in English or require a translator. I find this intriguing because, if it is truly an alien, why should understanding it be automatic regardless of our technological advancements? The exploration of language structure adds an element of mystery and fear, as we cannot fully grasp its intentions or meaning. Interestingly, when I recently watched "Arena," I had always assumed it was the Metron who employed their powers or magic to facilitate communication. I never believed the Gorn could speak English; rather, it was the Metron enabling the exchange of words.

J. Alan Scott: Absolutely. Even if they provide a translator for the contestants, it's primarily a plot device for the audience. What I find fascinating is being thrust into the moment. When it comes to the Enterprise, Spock, or any other character's experiences, they don't have the advantage of extensive canon and backstory. I enjoy it when the audience is dropped into the same situation, having to piece it together alongside the cast members. There's no room for relying solely on prior knowledge. The thrill lies in being fully immersed in the franchise. However, from a storytelling perspective, it's impactful when the audience and the characters are on the same page, both trying to unravel the mystery.

Strange New Worlds season 2 concluded with an enticing cliffhanger, indicating that the Gorn will undeniably make a return, at least in the first episode of season 3. Without divulging any spoilers, can we expect the Gorn to up the ante and surpass our previous encounters with them?

J. Alan Scott: Absolutely, that has always been the plan. We have consistently aimed to gradually escalate their presence. In season 1, we initially focused on developing the Gorn life cycle, intentionally saving the latter half for later exploration. While we haven't divulged everything yet, our intentions are to continue unraveling and delving into the nature of the Gorn. I'm particularly thrilled to witness their visual appearance, witness their capabilities in piloting ships, wielding weaponry, and observe their means of communication. Additionally, I am intrigued by the prospect of exploring the design of their bridge and the interior layout of their vessels. So far, we have only glimpsed at the external aspect.

We began designing some of the EV suits prior to season 1 being aired. However, once we learned that they would be appearing in ships, we requested to see the designs and rough sequences. Upon reviewing them, we recognized the need to incorporate their technology into our own EV suit designs. By observing the movements and maneuvers of their ships, we were able to create EV suits that mirrored their capabilities. This allowed for a common language between their technology and ours, influencing not only the EV suits but also their weaponry and other elements. As Spock encounters this, the audience and Spock both discover that this is the Gorn, a creature that requires a technology enabling it to move in space like us.

About Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2

Explore our collection of interviews with the cast and crew of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, as they delve into the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike and the USS Enterprise in the 23rd century. Discover how they navigate uncharted territories and fulfill missions across the galaxy, setting the stage for the beloved Star Trek: The Original Series.

Roberto Campanella

Dermott Downs

Paul Wesley

Gia Sandhu

Jess Bush

Benji Bakshi

Melissa Navia

Christina Chong

Valerie Weiss

Yetide Badaki

Anson Mount & Rebecca Romijn

Ethan Peck & Paul Wesley

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 is streaming on Paramount+.