Science fiction Western
A science fiction Western is a work of fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and Western genres. The two genres can be blended in many different ways. The tropes and conventions of Westerns can be tranlated to a science-fiction setting, or science fiction elements can be transported to the American West, in a steampunk fashion.
The influence of Westerns on Gene Roddenberry's original concept for Star Trek can be seen in the series' opening narration, "Space, the final frontier...". Roddenberry described Star Trek to network executives as "Wagon Train to the stars."
One recent hybrid of Westerns and science fiction is the television series Firefly and its cinematic follow-up Serenity. This series not only used Western ideas such as the lawless frontier and the spiritually wounded veteran, but also included Western elements in costuming, design and dialogue. The backstory of Firefly is a deliberate echo of the post-Civil War setting of many Westerns, with a hero who fought for the losing side.
List of science fiction Westerns
Anime
Comics
- Jonah Hex, a Western comics hero, was for a time transported to a post-apocalyptic 21st century.
- The Amazing Screw-On Head by Mike Mignola
Film
- As Time Goes By
- Back to the Future Part III
- Galaxina
- Oblivion
- Serenity
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier - the scenes on Nimbus III are heavily influenced by Westerns
- Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - the cantina scene in particular is a homage to Westerns
- Westworld
- Wild Wild West
Games
Television
- The Wild Wild West included many episodes with science-fiction elements.
- "The Gunfighters", a 1966 Doctor Who serial.
- "Spectre of the Gun", an episode of the original Star Trek.
- "The Secret Empire" segment of the 1970s TV series Cliffhangers
- "A Fistful of Datas", a Holodeck-based episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
- The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.
- "Gunmen of the Apocalypse", an episode of Red Dwarf.
- The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne
- Firefly