The final frontier is getting a fresh start. Paramount Pictures has officially set course for a new chapter in the “Star Trek” franchise, hiring the acclaimed writing and directing duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein to write and helm a completely original film unconnected to any previous storylines or casts.
A New Direction for an Iconic Franchise
The decision answers one of the biggest questions looming over Paramount since David Ellison’s takeover: what would become of “Star Trek”? Multiple projects had been in various stages of development for years, including several attempts to reunite Chris Pine’s crew from the popular reboot trilogy. There was even buzz about the Duffer Brothers (creators of “Stranger Things”) potentially rebooting the franchise after their move from Netflix to Paramount.
Now the path forward is clear—and it’s heading in an entirely new direction. Daley and Goldstein will produce the project through their GoldDay banner, bringing their signature blend of humor, high-concept storytelling, and action-packed adventure to Gene Roddenberry’s beloved sci-fi universe.
The Perfect Team for Trek’s Revival
Daley and Goldstein have built an impressive track record balancing comedic sensibilities with blockbuster action. Their credits include the workplace comedy hit “Horrible Bosses,” Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” the darkly funny thriller “Game Night,” and most recently, “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”—which Paramount released to critical acclaim in 2023.
Their approach to “Dungeons & Dragons” may offer the best preview of what to expect from their “Star Trek” vision. That film successfully reinvigorated a property with a complicated legacy by honoring its spirit while making it accessible to new audiences, mixing spectacular action with genuine heart and humor. The film demonstrated their ability to handle ensemble casts, complex world-building, and high-stakes adventure—all essential ingredients for a successful Trek movie.
The duo recently wrapped production on “Mayday,” an Apple feature starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, further proving their ability to attract A-list talent to their projects.
A Long Journey Back to the Big Screen
“Star Trek” has been absent from theaters since 2016’s “Star Trek Beyond,” which disappointed at the box office with $343.4 million globally—well below expectations for a major franchise tentpole. That underperformance effectively stalled the film franchise, despite the continuing popularity of Trek on television.
Since then, approximately half a dozen film projects have cycled through development, each ultimately failing to reach production. These included multiple scripts designed to reunite Pine’s crew—which also featured Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldaña, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, and the late Anton Yelchin—as well as an ambitious R-rated concept penned by Quentin Tarantino that generated significant buzz but never materialized.
While the film franchise languished, “Star Trek” thrived on Paramount+, the studio’s streaming platform. Shows like “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Star Trek: Picard,” “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” and “Star Trek: Lower Decks” have kept the franchise alive and expanded its universe for dedicated fans. However, the absence of a theatrical presence has been notable for a property that once regularly commanded the big screen.
Starting Fresh in the Final Frontier
The decision to pursue a completely original story represents both an opportunity and a risk. On one hand, it frees Daley and Goldstein from the complications of existing continuity and the need to reunite actors with busy schedules and varying levels of interest in returning. It also allows Paramount to recast and potentially appeal to younger audiences who may not be familiar with previous iterations.
On the other hand, starting fresh means saying goodbye—at least for now—to the Pine-led cast that successfully relaunched the franchise in 2009 and built a passionate fanbase over three films. Those movies modernized Trek for contemporary audiences while maintaining respect for the original series, and many fans had hoped to see that crew’s story continue.
What This Means for Trek’s Future
The choice of Daley and Goldstein suggests Paramount is seeking a “Star Trek” film that can work both as a standalone adventure and as a potential launchpad for a new era of Trek cinema. Their demonstrated ability to create entertaining, accessible films that don’t sacrifice intelligence or character development aligns well with Trek’s core values of exploration, diversity, and optimism about humanity’s future.
Details about the new film’s plot, setting, or characters remain under wraps, leaving plenty of room for speculation. Will it feature a new Enterprise crew? Take place in a different time period? Introduce entirely new concepts to the Trek universe? These questions will likely fuel fan discussion until more information emerges.
What’s certain is that after nearly a decade away from theaters, “Star Trek” is finally charting a course back to the big screen—this time with a fresh perspective and creative team ready to boldly go where no Trek film has gone before.
