‘I Tried Not to Fangirl’: Disney’s Elio Directors Reveal Star Trek Captain’s Secret Cameo
Disney and Pixar’s latest film, titled “, “, features a young protagonist named Elio who develops friendships with extraterrestrials after being misidentified as Earth’s ambassador. This movie is currently rated highly on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting an 82% critic score and a remarkable 91% audience score. Yonas Kibreab takes on the role of Elio, while his Aunt Olga is portrayed by another talented actor.
At the outset of the film, viewers might identify a well-known voice. This voice belongs to Kate Mulgrew, famously known for her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway across all seven seasons. Notably, she made history by being the first female captain in a Star Trek series.
In the initial scene, you’ll find Mulgrew’s voice as Elio, the main character, and his aunt explore an astronaut museum. Alone, Elio checks out a display on Voyager 1. It is then that Mulgrew’s narration can be heard, guiding audiences through the exhibit.
Elio Director: “Kate’s Amazing”
According to directors Elio’s team, consisting of Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian, and Adrian Molina, they managed to get Mulgrew for a surprise appearance during a recent interview.
Shi expressed, “Yes, Kate is fantastic! You know, Star Trek: Voyager holds a special spot in my heart because it was a show my mom and I used to watch when we were younger. It seems like that’s how she learned English as well. Watching Kate, her calm and authoritative voice reminded me of how she leads her crew.
The Perfect Fit for the Scene
Shi further elaborated on her decision for casting Kate Mulgrew in the opening scene of “Elio“. She explained that there was a prologue scene featuring a narrator, who introduced Elio to Voyager – a real satellite launched into space in the ’70s. This scene also included a message in a bottle sent from Earth. The team thought it would be an excellent tribute to science fiction and fans if Mulgrew could voice this role, and luckily, she agreed!
Elio (2025)
| Worldwide Box Office Earnings () | Budget | Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score | IMDb Rating |
| $78.1 million | $150-200 Million | 82% | 91% | 7.0/10 |
‘I Tried Not to Fangirl’
In a state of excitement as a devotee of “Star Trek: Voyager,” Shi openly admitted that it was difficult to hide her astonishment upon discovering that Captain Janeway was lending her voice in the movie. “I tried my best not to act too starstruck, but let me tell you, she was fantastic! I couldn’t help but feel a bit awestruck,” Shi shared. She further added, “And she was such a pro! You could tell she didn’t really need us there. She would come in, record her lines, and then ask for another take. She even gave herself feedback. We found ourselves thinking, ‘But the first take sounded so good,’ only for her to reply, ‘No, no, no. I want to try this again.’
Indeed, she’s simply phenomenal,” Shi summed up. “A true professional with an aura that significantly enhances the impact of our initial scene.
Elio is currently playing in movie theaters. Star Trek: Voyager is streaming on Paramount+.
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2025-07-04 22:22