10 Things You Didn't Know About How Star Trek Got Started

9. If At First You Don't Succeed, Try AgainStar Trek Original Pilot Star Trek is one of the few TV series to have two completely different pilot episodes. The first pilot, "The Cage," starred Jeffrey Hunter as Capt. Christopher Pike and was filmed in late 1964. NBC rejected it in February 1965, calling the story "too cerebral." Yet some NBC executives were intrigued enough by Star Trek's premise to ask for €“ and pay for €“ a second pilot. This time, Roddenberry hired Canadian actor William Shatner to play Capt. James T. Kirk. "Where No Man Has Gone Before" made up for the first pilot's alleged deficiencies, offering more action and humor. Second time's a charm; the network went for it. And "The Cage" didn't go to waste. Later in the first season, much of its footage was incorporated into "The Menagerie," Star Trek's only two-part episode.

Contributor

Debbie Gilbert is an award-winning journalist who's been writing for magazines and newspapers since 1988. A Memphis native who grew up near Graceland, she became a Star Trek fan in 1975.