Former Star Trek fan film Renegades crowdfunding for new film Renegades: Ominara, featuring Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig

(L-R) Chalet Lizette Brannan as Shane Larrent, Walter Koenig as Professor Steiner, Loren Lott as young Ominara, Nichelle Nichols as Ominara, and Jackie R. Jacobson as Alex T’Lorn in Renegades: Ominara

JANUARY 26, 2021 - The Renegades have teamed up with Atomic Studios once again to produce a new and exciting space adventure. They’ve launched a new Kickstarter campaign to support the upcoming film Renegades: Ominara. The new film is part of a planned reboot for Renegades that will see the former Star Trek fan film project reportedly become part of the AtomicTV lineup of original content.

Ominara is the story of a young orphan who eventually rises to become the queen of the criminal underworld. Throughout her life, she builds valuable friendships, but is forever plagued by her decades-long conflict with Professor Steiner, a man who used her and other children from the orphanage to experiment with telepathy. Told from the perspective of Ominara as she looks back on her life, the film will feature both younger and older versions of the characters. The title character of Ominara will be played by Nichelle Nichols, with the role of her younger counterpart going to Loren Lott, known for her work on The Young and the Restless. Star Trek actor Walter Koenig plays Professor Steiner, with Steiner’s younger self played by television actor Johnny Jay Lee. Renegades: Ominara will be directed by veteran Star Trek actor and fellow Renegade Tim Russ, with Frank Zanca producing and Sky Conway serving as executive producer.

The role of Ominara may well be Nichelle Nichols’ final performance as an actor. After a career spanning seven decades, Nichols is said to be retiring from the profession. Citing her work as an actor and recruiter for NASA, producer Frank Zanca said Ominara will be “an homage to her previous work”. Nichols shared the Kickstarter campaign on social media, saying, “Come support my final performance, my friends. Thank you.”

Come support my final performance, my friends. Thank you. https://t.co/KD9XwmOXlX

— Nichelle Nichols (@NichelleIsUhura) January 19, 2021

This will actually be the second crowdfunding campaign for the film. A 2020 campaign raised more than $47,000 toward the project. At this time, “Phase 2” of crowdfunding for Ominara has raised nearly $25,000 toward the projected goal of $35,000. Depending on how much you contribute, supporters will have access to multiple backer rewards, including Blu-ray copies of the film, autographed photos, producer credits, and even a walk-on role as an extra in the film. The crowdfunding campaign for Renegades: Ominara ends February 8. Visit kickstarter.com for more information and to contribute to the film.