Star Trek: All 4 Captain Pike actors ranked from worst to best

3. Bruce Greenwood

Appeared in: Star Trek (2009)

After the turn of the century, J.J. Abrams was tasked with relaunching the Star Trek universe with a modern day reboot – one that would have its own continuity while also paying tribute to the originals. This modern revamp is known for featuring  the most gorgeous Captain Kirk played by the even more gorgeous Christopher Pine, and has thus far spawned three movies, Star Trek released in 2009, Star Trek into Darkness 2013, and Star Trek Beyond in 2016 (with a fourth one in the works).

But Captain Kirk wasn’t the only beloved captain to make a comeback on the big screen. Bruce Greenwood stepped into the iconic boots of Captain Pike. Bringing a contemporary flair, Greenwood’s Pike seamlessly transitioned into the role of a “guiding light” for Captain Kirk. His seasoned demeanor undeniably demanded attention, elevating every scene he graced.

However, despite Greenwood’s powerful presence, his time as Pike in the Abrams’ films felt pretty brief, with the narrative spotlight primarily on the younger and core cast. Because of that, this rendition of Pike, while impactful, was more of a supporting role, leaving us wanting more of Greenwood’s portrayal. We love to see him involved in that eventual fourth movie if they could make it work.