Enough time has passed since the release of the original Star Trek: Enterprise series that a modern recasting for 2022 is fun to discuss. Though denounced by critics at the time, Enterprise gained cult status after its season 4 cancellation and became just as beloved as prior franchise installments. The original actors played their roles superbly, but newer contemporary actors could offer a refreshing take on each Star Trek: Enterprise character in a bolder figurative recasting.
Enterprise aired from 2001 to 2005 and its bad reception caused poor ratings and cancellation after season 4. Three Star Trek series that came before it received seven seasons each and it has often been theorized that if Star Trek: Enterprise had been given an equal number of seasons it may have left a more distinguishable mark in the franchise. The show was earning its spot amongst its predecessors by the time it was canceled, releasing episodes reminiscent of Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation, but its critically panned finale landed Enterprise in a tough spot. That hasn't stopped fans from theorizing where the narrative could have gone, especially due to canceled Star Trek: Enterprise season 5 plans that would have involved Jeffrey Combs as a main cast member.
The concept of exploring the upsides and downsides of the first deep-space missions is close to home for sci-fi lovers since current space travel is still in its infancy. A revival cast of Enterprise, full of promising actors with experience in varying genres, would reinvigorate the show as they band together as a crew in the 22nd century. Here are some great picks for a Star Trek: Enterprise recasting in 2022.
Matthew Lillard as Captain Jonathan Archer
Sci-fi star Scott Bakula brought Enterprise captain Jonathan Archer to life with an ambition for exploration and zeal for knowledge. Archer captains the first space mission to travel at Warp 5 and earns the loyalty and even friendship of his crew by being not only humbly confident, but personable too. At the time, Bakula was known for another huge sci-fi role as Sam Beckett on Quantum Leap, for which he received four Emmy nominations. Matthew Lillard would be a perfect choice in a figurative Enterprise reboot for his ability to balance leadership with a down-to-earth appeal. Lillard has not acted in many sci-fi films but has become famous for more eccentric roles like Shaggy in Scooby-Doo or Stu Macher in Scream. He could bring new traits to Archer's sometimes overly straightforward demeanor and reflect Archer's poignant humanity with his renowned skills as a character actor.
Zoë Kravitz as T'Pol
When narrowing down actors to play a Vulcan, there is a requirement for the actor to possess skills that involve repressing emotions without deserting them, which Zoë Kravitz proved she could achieve flawlessly as Selina Kyle in Matt Reeves' The Batman. Jolene Blalock played T'Pol in the original Enterprise and depicted the conflicted yet stoic first officer beautifully, setting her apart from being just another Spock. Through her acting, Blalock divulged more individualistic aspects of Vulcan psyche and physicality that helped develop T'Pol's species into something more than one-note. Given the chance, actress Zoë Kravitz would be a beneficial choice for T'Pol as she could feasibly cast a distinct yet powerful balance between T'Pol's emotional core and her Vulcan sensibilities. With her evident conviction, Kravitz could also give an outspoken edge to T'Pol that Blalock merely touched upon.
Dominic Cooper as Charles "Trip" Tucker III
Archer's consummate chief engineer is a charming Floridian named Charles Tucker III who makes his friends call him Trip. Connor Trinneer plays Trip with much of the same wit and attitude of Star Trek: The Original Series' McCoy but brings out a softer side in his smart-aleck character. His character is the emotional center of Star Trek: Enterprise and needs highly talented shoes to fit the tragic dichotomy Trinneer's dynamic character provides. Dominic Cooper, of Preacher fame, would be a great casting choice for Trip due not only to his acting range but for his experience playing simultaneously flawed and captivating characters. His specialized Southern charm from Preacher would be a benefit for Trip, who is very keyed into the culture in which he grew up. Cooper could easily give Trip a gruffer persona if an Enterprise reboot follows in the footsteps of modern Star Trek and focuses more on themes of war and violence, but keep Trip's unique and attractive draw.
Daniel Kaluuya as Travis Mayweather
Travis Mayweather is the primary watch helmsman on the Enterprise and is played by actor Anthony Montgomery. Mayweather is often underutilized but is given a few episodes to focus solely on his intriguing past as a character born in space. Montgomery manages to translate Mayweather's dedication to the mission and his immense love for space inspired from childhood onto the screen with seamless ease. Actor Daniel Kaluuya would offer great avenues to expand Travis and evolve traits to keep him from becoming another blank slate. Kaluuya's ability to exude a demure persona which implies hidden depths can add the development of complexity Mayweather desperately needed to flourish to his full potential in Star Trek: Enterprise.
David Harbour as Phlox
Phlox is the Enterprise doctor and often acts as the comic relief for the vexed crew but can, at times, also be quite frightening. John Billingsley, who has starred in various other sci-fi projects, plays Phlox with an almost unnerving glee. Phlox is a friendly character who becomes more complex as the show progresses since his species of Denobulan is delved into in-depth. David Harbour would be an interesting pick for Phlox because his weirder roles have been sparse and he's proven he has a more comical side due to his recent performance in Marvel's Black Widow. It would diverge from his serious roles and give him a chance to expand the strangeness of Phlox's untapped inner darkness. He is a currently sought-after actor who can simultaneously bring a familiar face to Enterprise for newer Star Trek audiences who are perhaps fans of Stranger Things.
Sacha Dhawan as Malcolm Reed
Malcolm Reed is the armory officer on Enterprise and comes from a mysterious British background which often leads him to be an elusive character in the show. Dominic Keating excels in shaping Malcolm from a rigid officer set in his ways into a quirkier playful character by the end of Star Trek: Enterprise. Oftentimes overly loyal to his captain and the ship, Malcolm is brilliantly portrayed by Keating as a character whose motivations and morals are constantly fluctuating. Sacha Dhawan, who recently took up the helm of The Master in Doctor Who, would play a perfect Malcolm for the talent he's shown balancing intimidation and gaiety. Malcolm Reed requires a bit of a goofy performance while still maintaining stern vibes to keep his colleagues in check as the armory expert. Dhawan could also bring an attractive magnetization to the role lacking for Malcolm in the original show.
Tao Okamoto as Hoshi Sato
Hoshi Sato is a linguistic specialist onboard Archer's crew and her last-minute recruitment causes her continued reluctance to remain in space throughout the course of the show. Despite Sato's initial distaste for their deep-space mission, she becomes an indispensable asset to the crew as well as a close friend to her colleagues. Linda Park brings perhaps the most humanity to the screen with her portrayal of Sato, even in Star Trek: Enterprise's mirror universe, and effectively displays the inner conflicts and anxieties of a real astronaut. Park's performance often reflects how human weakness and strength can co-exist. Tao Okamoto would be a good pick for Hoshi Sato with her own history of playing dynamic and complex characters. Okamoto plays James Howlett's love interest in The Wolverine, in which she faces trials and tribulations that test her as a character but ultimately work toward her strengths. Okamoto would show a commitment to keeping Sato's humanity while also bringing her own version to the table, perhaps a more resigned and self-assured Sato in the vein of her mystifying Chiyoh portrayal in Bryan Fuller's Hannibal.
James Spader as Thy'lek Shran
Shran is a reoccurring character on Enterprise, having first appeared as an antagonist in season 1. Jeffrey Combs, a Star Trek legend who's played eight separate characters in the franchise, plays Shran's aggressive yet staunch leadership role wonderfully to reflect Captain Archer's gentle approach. Combs' talents as a character actor helped the lovable Shran become a protagonist in the series. James Spader would be an instrumental addition to the cast as Shran with his vast experience in both television and character acting. Spader's dry wit would exemplify the character's already sardonic attitude and offer further comedy with scenes of alien misunderstandings and conflict. A veteran actor like Spader could create space for Shran a bigger presence in Enterprise, which the original show severely lacks. And if Shran were to return as a villain, Spader's involvement would only be an advantage, as shown by NBC's hit show The Blacklist where Spader plays the endearing criminal mastermind Raymond Reddington.
There are several new Star Trek shows either in the works or currently being released to delve into the franchise, but an Enterprise reboot wouldn't be remiss. It perhaps has garnered the most lost potential in any Trek installment and continues to offer room for advancement in character, concept, and plot. Star Trek: Enterprise left an impression years after its cancellation, but the recasting here would improve upon its legacy if revived in 2022.