It might not seem like it now, but in its early days,Star Trekwas an underdog. Despiteearning a dedicated fanbase with younger demographicsduring its three-year run, the original 1960s series wasn’t a ratings smash. NBC canceled the ambitious sci-fi excursion after three seasons, andthere’s a good chanceStar Trekwouldn’t have made it that farwithout a combination of good luck and powerful behind-the-scenes allies (like entertainment powerhouseLucille Ball).Trek’s evolution into afranchise powerhousewas a tenuous undertaking from the beginning: although supportive of creatorGene Roddenberry’s “Western in space” concept, NBC ordered a second pilot after deeming Roddenberry’s first offering “too cerebral” (not to mention the episode’s roughly $500,000 budget, a whopping price tag for the time). In this inaugural attempt, titled “The Cage,” film actorJeffrey Hunterplayed Christopher Pike, the captain of theEnterpriseand the series' leading man. However,when the second pilot hit the airwaves,Pike was nowhere to be found. Instead, viewers were greeted by the swaggering charm of franchise staple Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner). Why didn’tTrek’s main performer return for the full series?
Why Did Captain Pike Leave ‘Star Trek: The Original Series’?
Before his brief stint withTrek,Hunter had been a consistently working character actor and leading man for over a decade. Although not a superstar, he was known to audiences for high-profile roles like Jesus Christ in the ancient Biblical epicKing of Kingsand his supporting turn inJohn Wayne’s Western classicThe Searchers;superstarMarilyn Monroeevencalled him“the acme of young American manhood.” Eventually, Hunter branched into television after feeling “dissatisfied with the roles being offered him in films,” calling them “cotton candy, college-sophomore” scripts that capitalized on his looks.
His search for satisfyingly in-depth opportunities led him toStar Trek. Allegedly,NBC executiveswere convinced that Hunter could beTrek’s lead, but Roddenberry championed Hunter’s involvement. Nevertheless,Hunter ultimately refused Gene Roddenberry’s offer to reprise Captain Pike for arevamped series order, despite Roddenberry reportedly “set[ting] up a special screening of ‘The Cage’ […] in hopes of convincing the actor to stick with the project.” Hunter explained his decision during aninterview with the Milwaukee Journalin 1965:
“I was asked to do it, I would have been tied up much longer than I care to be. I have several things brewing now and they should be coming to a head in the next few weeks.I love doing motion pictures and expect to be as busy as I want to be in them."
Captain Pike Still Became an Important ‘Star Trek’ Character
With hindsight, it’s easy to extrapolate a scenario where Hunter continued withStar Trekand became asvital a part ofTrekiconography as Shatner’s Kirk: the first onscreen captain and, therefore, essentiallythe face of the franchise. At the time, however,Star Trekprobably seemed like arisky gambleto those involved. Certainly, few could have anticipated the worldwide entertainment titan it would become. It makes sense why Hunter chose to return to the film world’s familiar and flexible work over beingtied down to a series.
You Forgot How Sexy (and Creepy) ‘Star Trek: The Original Series’ Was
But is its reputation fair?
Tragically, Hunter passed away in 1969, only four years after filming hissingleStar Trekepisode. Hunter seemed to appreciate the series' vision, having praised its ideology: “Except for the fictional characters,” he said, “it will be like getting a look into the future and some of the predictions will surely come true in our lifetime.” Even though NBC never officially aired “The Cage,“Hunter still made his mark onStar Treklore; before “The Cage” became widely available through special edition DVDs, a two-part episode from Season 1, “The Menagerie,” recycled the majority of Hunter’s footage into a flashback format resolving Pike’s story (played bySean Kenneyin Hunter’s stead).
Decades later, directorJ.J. Abrams’ first two prequel films incorporated the character (Bruce Greenwood) as a mentor toChris Pine’s youthful Kirk, while the ongoing Paramount+ seriesStar Trek: Strange New Worldsfully explores Pike’s (Anson Mount) years at theEnterprisehelm. For the brief time he was onscreen,Hunter gave Captain Pike dignity, curiosity, and a brooding, responsible charisma that was more somber than flirtatious: the epitome of an era-appropriate hero who happened to be a futuristic space explorer.
Star Trek: The Original Series
In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.
Star Trek: The Original Seriesis available to stream on Paramount+.
Watch on Paramount+
