First Details About New Star Trek Movie Offer More Questions Than Answers
By Chris Snellgrove | Updated
Many Star Trek fans were understandably shocked when Paramount pulled the plug on developing new TV shows. Instead, they decided to bring the franchise back to the big screen, and hired top talent. The untitled film will be written by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. This versatile duo has deep geek cred, having written both Spider-Man: Homecoming again Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. The duo specializes in creating stories full of heart, humor, and heart-pounding action, and that's exactly the vibe that Paramount is looking for in their beloved fantasy franchise.
That said, the studio hasn't said much about what the new movie will be about. We already knew it would feature a completely different character set, but other than that, details were scarce. Recently, however, Goldstein and Daley appeared at San Diego Comic-Con, and made a shocking announcement about the film's background: that it “will be more future-oriented than ever.” Unfortunately, the ambiguity of this statement and questions about whether this film will reboot Star Trek have given more questions than answers to a very confused fandom.
Giving Fans What They Want
At Comic-Con, Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley revealed what Star Trek movie they're working on. Initially, Daley said, “the script is in progress, and we're very excited about it” before adding, “I can't say anything else other than that.” They agreed and said a lot, but most of it was just sales. For example, Goldenstein explained how they wanted to “do something different from something you've seen done before.” Unsurprisingly, they want to cater to fans old and new alike: “This is our hope for this: to satisfy the fans, but also to bring in people who might not consider themselves Star Trek fans and be surprised.”
However, during this, one of the writers said something interesting. After confirming that the film's crew “will not be actors you've seen before in your Star Trek movies,” Goldstein dropped the bombshell. “I think it will be a little more advanced in the future than before.” This is a comment that has left fans confused, and for good reason. After all, there are two very different ways to interpret this comment, which would lead to two very different movies.
When You Thought Disco Was Dead
A more straightforward way to interpret Goldstein's comments is that the new film will take place more literally in the Star Trek future than we've seen in any show or movie. At the end of the Star Trek: Discovery Season 2, the crew jumps to the 32nd century, which is where it is again Starfleet Academy it happened. That's as far as Trek has gone so far, and the new movie may even take place in the future. Assuming the new movie doesn't start the sequel, that means it will take place in the future when the Federation is rebuilding, the Vulcans have reunited with the Romulans, and the Klingons have been largely wiped out.
That won't happen, though. Chances are high that Paramount doesn't want to be associated with their new Star Trek movie Starfleet Academya future set show that was canceled after one season. Also, the 32nd century brought major changes in continuity (the above is just the tip of the iceberg). If Paramount wants to appeal to both old and new fans, they will set the movie in a more accessible time. Let's say, in the 25th century!
Will you be happy or will you rest?
How would that work? Goldstein's comments indicated that the film takes place “longer in the future than before.” His use of the word “small” may mean that the film takes place slowly in the 25th century, which is where it is. Picard again Lower Decks take place. Those shows were followed up in the Golden Age Trek series as The Next Generation, Deep Space Nineagain Voyager. After the success of PicardIn the last season, fans asked for a Star Trek: Legacy a show that takes place in the 25th century. We never got it, but maybe we'll be getting the whole movie set a bit further along that general timeline.
Admittedly, this is speculation. Jonathan Goldstein may have meant something else entirely and was misspoken in his attempt not to spoil the film. Judging by the looks of it, though, it sounds like the setting dictates that the new Star Trek movie is a spiritual successor. Starfleet Academy or to Picard. Given those choices, it's a safe bet most fans would love to have a new adventure set in the 25th century. If we get a new movie set in the 32nd century, though, it would make many old fans vomit. Worried about your new bucket of popcorn? Don't worry…if we get a Starfleet Academy sequel to the big screen, you'll probably just be glowing, though!
