Michael Dorn Reflects on His Role in STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY

Michael Dorn as Colonel Worf in STAR TREKK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY. Image: Paramount.

NOVEMBER 1, 2023 - In a recent appearance on The Shuttlepod Show, actor Michael Dorn shared his cherished memories from filming Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, a pivotal film in the Star Trek franchise that marked the final appearance of the full original series cast. 

Best known for his role as the Klingon warrior, Lieutenant Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Dorn had a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between two Star Trek eras.

As reported by ScreenRant, the film was released in December 1991, and coincided with the peak popularity of The Next Generation, which was airing in syndication. Dorn's portrayal of Lieutenant Worf had already made him a fan favorite. However, it was director Nicholas Meyer's creative decision that brought an intriguing twist to Dorn's involvement in the Star Trek universe. Meyer offered Dorn the role of Worf's grandfather, Colonel Worf, in the sixth Star Trek movie, setting the stage for a memorable crossover.

Colonel Worf, who served as the Klingon Defense Attorney during the trial of Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley), is a key character in the film's plot. Although not named on-screen, Colonel Worf is identified in the credits as "Klingon Defense Attorney," and subsequent publicity materials clarified his lineage as the father of Mogh, Worf's father.

Dorn's casting as Colonel Worf was almost serendipitous. As revealed in William Shatner's 1994 memoir Star Trek Movie Memories, Meyer, upon learning that The Next Generation is set 75 years after Star Trek VI, simply decided to cast Dorn as Worf's grandfather. Dorn, a self-proclaimed Star Trek fan, expressed his awe at sharing the set with the legendary cast of the original series. He recounted, "I’m sitting there [on set], and they’re all there in their chairs, and talking and stuff like that. And I’m going [slack jawed] 'Wow!'... But it was one of those moments [where] there’s no way I could have ever thought about this. To be in a movie with these guys. And they all were there… It was spectacular."

Interestingly, Dorn wasn't the only future Star Trek: Deep Space Nine cast member to make an appearance in the film. Rene Auberjonois, who later starred as Odo, cameoed as Colonel West. West's role was cut from the theatrical release but restored in the director's cut.

Dorn's involvement in Star Trek VI not only highlights a fascinating cross-generational link within the Star Trek universe but also underscores the enduring appeal and interconnectedness of its characters and stories. His experiences on set with the original cast and his unique role in the film's narrative continue to resonate with fans, bridging the gap between two beloved eras of the Star Trek saga.