Not to get too deep into “25% different” conspiracy theories, but that could also be part of the reason they’ve been avoiding using “Cage” characters, and why several TOS characters/names are drastically changed (M’Benga is older, Kyle is a different ethnicity, Mitchell is a different ethnicity and gender). Chapel would get a pass because of the Roddenberry connection, Rod would be willing and able to sign off, and Kirk and the other main-seven TOS characters who have appeared on SNW would’ve had their approvals secured with ST09, if not earlier.
Feels like the smarter play there would have been to create new characters.


