Michelle Yeoh to reprise role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou in Star Trek movie
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A television still of Star Trek: Discovery, starring Michelle Yeoh.
PHOTO: NETFLIX
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Trekkies, it is time to make the “live long and prosper” greeting again.
Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh will return as Emperor Philippa Georgiou in a new movie, Star Trek: Section 31.
“I’m beyond thrilled to return to my Star Trek family and to the role I’ve loved for so long,” said Yeoh, 60, in a statement issued by Paramount+ on Wednesday.
She took on the role in the first three seasons of the Star Trek: Discovery TV series, starting from 2017. Yeoh’s final episode featured her character getting a second chance at life in the Mirror Universe, a parallel universe in the franchise, leaving the Discovery crew behind.
Previously, it was reported that a Section 31 series with Yeoh had been in development since 2018.
In the movie, Yeoh’s character joins a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets and faces the sins of her past.
The film’s executive producer Alex Kurtzman said Yeoh had the idea to do a spin-off of her character before the first season of Star Trek: Discovery was aired.
She will also be an executive producer on Section 31, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Yeoh said Section 31 has been “near and dear” to her heart since she began playing the role of Philippa.
(From left) Doug Jones as Lieutenant Saru, Sonequa Martin-Green as First Officer Michael Burnham and Michelle Yeoh as Captain Philippa Georgiou.
PHOTO: JAN THIJS
“We can’t wait to share what’s in store for you, and until then: Live long and prosper (unless Emperor Georgiou decrees otherwise).”
The movie, which is produced by CBS Studios, will begin production later in 2023. A release date has not been announced.
Michelle Yeoh stars as Captain Philippa Georgiou.
PHOTO: JAN THIJS
“For years, we’ve been looking forward to Michelle Yeoh one day returning to Star Trek,” said Mr David Stapf, president of CBS Studios.
“Her powerful performance as Captain and Emperor Georgiou was not only a pivotal moment for the return of the franchise, but her portrayal resonated with fans around the world in a multitude of ways,” he added.
In March, Yeoh became the first Asian actress to win Best Actress at the Oscars The genre-bending sci-fi dramedy also won Best Picture.
