One of the more curious events for San Diego Comic-Con this year was a collaboration between the Star Trek and Doctor Who franchises with Paramount and the BBC joining forces to promote the first “Intergalactic Friendship Day” on Tuesday, July 30th. We have a video and highlights from the panel, and the first look at a mobile games franchise crossover.
Star Trek x Doctor Who video
The Intergalactic Friendship Day panel on Saturday featured a discussion with Star Trek franchise showrunner and executive producer Alex Kurtzman and showrunner and executive producer of the Doctor Who Universe, Russell T. Davies. It kicked off with this “Friendship is Universal” video to celebrate this new intergalactic togetherness…
Here is the official description of the collaboration:
On July 30th, fans will rejoice as Doctor Who and Star Trek come together to celebrate the creation of the inaugural Intergalactic Friendship Day, aligning with International Friendship Day which was established in 2011 with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. Throughout both franchises’ long history, there have been numerous on-screen nods to each other to delight fans, and now the two pop culture titans Doctor Who and Star Trek are joining forces to spotlight shared values of friendship, hope, and fandom with fan celebrations, digital activations, and special giveaways.
Showrunners talk shared themes and what it would take for a real crossover
Both showrunners talked about what the two franchises share:
Kurtzman: Doctor Who and Star Trek share such deep history as these two incredibly storied franchises. I think we share values. I think we share perspectives of the world. I think we want to tell stories that are illuminating about the human race. Each iteration of The Doctor and each iteration of Trek has endeavored to do that for every generation that it serves. And I think that is what our friendship is about. It’s that beautiful connection.
Davies: In a way the difference between the two shows is one is military and one is not. Star Trek is more military and the Doctor would never join the military and the military would never put up with that idiot. They have monsters and adventures every week and fights and chases and yet they’ve never come together. And yet what I love about Star Trek is it’s not about the military, it is the friendships. It’s Kirk and Spock. It’s all of those things.
The pair traded compliments for each franchise, with both talking about some of their favorites including Davies saying of Trek “Oh, Michael Burnham! was the thing that properly brought me back to Star Trek, and now I watch everything.” Kurtzman said of Doctor Who, “I became more aware of The Doctor during the time of Eccleston, he’s obviously amazing. Ncuti is quickly becoming my favorite. I think he’s amazing. And obviously Tennant.”
When asked if we would ever see the franchises actually work together on television or film, Davies said “We would love to announce a crossover between Star Trek and Doctor Who. If anyone can make that happen, fans can make that happen. And then two great big empires, and their lawyers, would have to make that happen. We can do that, can’t we?… That opening video literally shows what it could feel like, the joy of it. It must happen.” Kurtzman agreed, repeating, “It must happen.”
Another thing shared by both franchises is the aspiration to make the world a better place. In the spirit of friendship, the two series are donating to their charities of choice. Paramount is making a donation to The Boys and Girls Club of America on behalf of Star Trek, and BBC Studios is donating to BBC Children in Need on behalf of Doctor Who.
Alex Kurtzman and Russell T. Davies at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
Mobile gaming crossover
The worlds of Star Trek and Doctor Who will intertwine in mobile gaming in two mobile games from East Side Games, Star Trek: Lower Decks Mobile and Doctor Who: Lost in Time, starting on August 1st. Here is how they describe the special crossover event between the games:
Beginning August 1, fans will be treated to the same thrilling story, experienced from two unique perspectives, when a mysterious space-time ripple that throws the Doctor onboard Star Trek: Lower Deck’s U.S.S. Cerritos, while Lieutenant Brad Boimler and Ensign Beckett Mariner find themselves thrust into the enigmatic Doctor Who universe. With the ripple disrupting the very fabric of reality, the Doctor must join forces with the resourceful crew of the Cerritos, while Boimler and Mariner team up with the legendary River Song. Together, they race against time to repair the ripple and set things right.
Check out the announcement trailer…
More info and download links for both games can be found at eastsidegames.com.
Who Trek poster
Panel attendees each received a special Doctor Who X Star Trek poster designed by artist Dusty Abell. There was also a giant-sized version of the poster at the “Friendship is Universal” gallery experience activation in the Gaslamp Quarter. The gallery featured original costumes and props from both franchises, “highlighting themes of friendship and shared values between the two universes.”
Doctor Who X Star Trek art by Dusty Abell at “Friendship is Universal” gallery at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
More Star Trek SDCC 2024
Check out our SDCC category for more from the Star Trek Universe panel, including announcements and reveals from Strange New Worlds, Lower Decks, and Starfleet Academy. And we will have more coverage of what was said at the panel later this weekend.
Find more convention news and reports at TrekMovie.com.
