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George Takei, renowned for his role in “Star Trek,” recently made a noteworthy detour into the world of “Batman Beyond.” Takei lent his voice to the character Mr. Fixx in the futuristic animated series. Mr. Fixx plays a pivotal role in shaping Terry McGinnis’s journey toward becoming the new Batman.
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In the show’s two-part premiere, “Rebirth,” Mr. Fixx serves as the loyal enforcer for Derek Powers, portrayed by Sherman Howard. Powers, the unscrupulous CEO of Wayne-Powers, emerges as a formidable antagonist in “Batman Beyond.” He concocts a perilous nerve gas with the intent to auction it to the highest bidder. When Warren McGinnis, a Wayne-Powers employee played by Michael Gross, uncovers Powers’ deadly plot and the testing of the gas on a colleague, Powers dispatches Fixx to silence him. Fixx executes Warren and cleverly frames the Jokerz gang for the murder.
Warren’s untimely demise sets Terry McGinnis on a path of retribution, eventually adopting the mantle of Batman. His quest for justice culminates in a showdown with Fixx aboard a hovercraft transporting the nerve gas. The battle proves challenging as Terry, equipped with advanced Batsuit technology, struggles against Fixx’s formidable strength and electric brass knuckles. In a moment of opportunity, Terry manages to knock Fixx into the craft’s control panel, causing it to crash into the bay, where Fixx is presumed to have drowned.
Though George Takei’s portrayal of Mr. Fixx in “Batman Beyond” is brief, the character leaves a lasting mark on Terry McGinnis’s life. Interestingly, Takei isn’t the only “Star Trek” alum to appear in the series. The late Malachi Throne, remembered by Trekkies for his roles as Commodore Mendez in the original series and Pardek in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” also lent his voice to the show.
In “Batman Beyond,” Throne takes on the role of Fingers, a highly intelligent gorilla, in the season 3 episode “Speak No Evil.” The storyline follows Fingers as he escapes from Gotham Zoo, instilling shock and fear among the citizens of Neo-Gotham. As Terry attempts to return the gorilla to his enclosure, he and Bruce Wayne, voiced by Kevin Conroy, uncover Fingers’ true story. The gorilla’s genes have been spliced with human DNA, and he is on a mission to locate the poacher responsible for abducting his mother. With Terry and Bruce’s assistance, Fingers confronts the poacher before finding his way back home.
George Takei wasn’t the only Star Trek actor to appear in Batman Beyond
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In “Batman Beyond,” Takei’s stint as Mr. Fixx is brief, but he leaves a scar on Terry McGinnis’s life, that’s for sure. Another “Star Trek” actor who also appeared in the animated series is the late Malachi Throne. Trekkies remember Throne as Commodore Mendez in the original “Star Trek” series (in which Takei’s Hikaru Sulu also features) and Pardek in “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”
In “Batman Beyond,” Throne voiced the super intelligent gorilla Fingers in the season 3 episode “Speak No Evil.” The story sees Fingers escape captivity from Gotham Zoo, much to the shock and terror of Neo-Gotham’s citizens. Terry tries to take the gorilla back to the zoo, but he and Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy) soon learn that Fingers is a gorilla who has had his genes spliced with human DNA and is determined to find the poacher who kidnapped his mother. Terry and Bruce help Fingers to find the poacher before the gorilla eventually heads back home.
It’s fun to see the connection between “Star Trek” and “Batman Beyond,” but it wasn’t too unheard of in the ’60s to see “Star Trek” actors appear on the “Batman” show — starring Adam West and Burt Ward — and vice versa. Even Batgirl star Yvonne Craig played Marta on “Star Trek.” Just imagine what Robin would say about this: “Holy franchise crossovers, Batman!”
