The lengthy saga for Star Trek to return to huge display screen has taken one other flip; Paramount is saying goodbye to 1 period of the movie franchise.
Recent Trek?
It’s been over 9 years since Star Trek Past exited theaters with underwhelming field workplace efficiency, resulting in a number of regimes at Paramount Photos struggling to discover a option to make a fourteenth huge display screen Trek work. As reported in a giant Selection Journal cowl function all about Paramount’s first 100 days beneath new CEO David Ellison and his Skydance group, Trek appears to be like to be taking one other flip. In keeping with the venerable Hollywood commerce, Paramount Photos is de-prioritizing some initiatives whereas bringing new focus to others because the studio appears to be like to up its total tempo of releases, which incorporates an replace for Trek on the massive display screen:
“[T]right here has additionally been a concentrate on reinvigorating sure franchises. The hope is to have a recent ‘Star Trek’ film, although the studio has moved on from the concept of bringing again Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and the remainder of the ensemble from the J.J. Abrams reboot.”
Within the final 9 years, a number of Star Trek movie initiatives have been introduced hooked up to a wide range of writers and administrators. Not less than two critical makes an attempt to maneuver ahead on a fourth film with the Kelvin universe crew obtained near pre-production earlier than everybody obtained let go and the method was began once more—the final time was in 2022 with director Matt Shakman. Paramount’s official stance for the previous few years was {that a} fourth and last movie for the Abramsverse crew starring Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk was nonetheless in improvement, however that appears to now not be the case.
Because the Selection piece was an total take a look at Paramount, there was no extra element about Star Trek or any point out of the standing of the “Star Trek origin” movie beneath director Toby Haynes. Earlier than the Skydance takeover, that movie was scheduled to return earlier than one other try at a “Star Trek 4” with the Kelvin crew, and the movie was even introduced as a part of the 2026 launch slate; nonetheless, with none critical motion on the challenge, it’s clear there is not going to be a Star Trek film launched within the franchise’s sixtieth anniversary 12 months.
It’s potential, and even doubtless, that Paramount’s new administration is on the lookout for one thing totally new. CEO Ellison has made it clear that franchises are a key a part of his future plans for the corporate, and at a press convention proper after the takeover, the brand new head of the movie studio stated Star Trek was “completely a precedence” for Paramount, which would come with taking a holistic strategy throughout movie and tv. They could have already got one thing in thoughts, or maybe they’re taking pitches for the subsequent step within the last frontier’s movie franchise.
Placing a last Kelvin film into manufacturing—if the financials and schedules might be labored out—might be seen as a secure transfer simply to reengage audiences with the franchise, however it comes with a number of dangers and isn’t actually a long-term answer, particularly with the directive to get the TV and movie sides working collectively. So, it appears to be like just like the watch for the subsequent Star Trek film will proceed, making the hole between releases spanning over a decade—however as James T. Kirk as soon as stated, “Younger minds, recent concepts. Be tolerant.”
From Star Trek: Past (Paramount)
What about Trek TV?
The Selection piece didn’t get into any specifics when it got here to approaching programming plans for Paramount+. Nevertheless, it does be aware Ellison seeks to “remodel Paramount+ from a second-rate app to a dominant participant” via higher know-how, an improved consumer expertise, in addition to “opening the purse to convey higher programming” to the streamer. Lately, we’ve got seen Paramount+ pull again on spending, which has impacted Star Trek.
Presently there are two lively sequence. Unusual New Worlds will likely be ending with a shortened fifth and last season, presently in manufacturing. In January 2026, Paramount+ launches Starfleet Academy, which presently has a second season in manufacturing, additionally in Toronto. Each reveals have been developed by govt producer Alex Kurtzman and are produced by his Secret Hideout manufacturing firm for CBS Studios. Kurtzman’s contract with CBS and Paramount ends in 2026, and it’s potential the brand new Paramount regime will use that as a pivot level for a “recent” strategy on the small display screen as nicely.
There are a few exterior elements that would have a big effect on Star Trek streaming. One is that Taylor Sheridan, the streamer’s greatest producer with hits like Tulsa Kings and the entire Yellowstone universe, was simply poached by NBC Common and will likely be exiting Paramount on the finish of 2028. His reveals have been probably the most constant performers for scripted drama on the streamer, with Star Trek developing (a considerably distant) second. With Sheridan gone, Trek might transfer up within the pecking order. But when Ellison achieves his purpose of shopping for Warner Brothers Discovery (if he can beat out different potential bidders like Netflix, Amazon, and Comcast/NBCUniversal), issues will change. Ellison is reportedly occupied with merging HBO Max with Paramount+ right into a mega streamer to tackle Netflix and Disney/Hulu, and in that world, Star Trek must compete for manufacturing {dollars} with the likes of The White Lotus, Home of the Dragon, The Final of Us, and extra.
So, it’s doubtless the world of Trek TV is in for some modifications within the close to future as nicely. Buckle up, Trekkies.
Anson Mount as Captain Pike in season 4, episode 1 of Unusual New Worlds streaming on Paramount+. Picture Credit score: Jan Thijs/Paramount+
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