When will we finally get a new ‘Star Trek’ movie?
Space might be the final frontier in the Star Trek universe. In our world, however, sequels are the current frontier and there’s nothing final about it. But when will we finally get a new installation to the Star Trek reboot series?
It’s been five years since Star Trek: Beyond was released to a lukewarm reception. Bad Robot Productions hasn’t officially named this as the reason they didn’t produce any more reboot movies. But it certainly didn’t help.
Now, fans are ready for a new Star Trek movie and it looks like their dreams may come true. A new installation to the Star Trek reboot series is finally on the horizon. Instead of being a question of ‘If?’, it’s now a question of ‘When?’
The Star Trek Universe
It all started in 1966 when Desilu Productions helped Gene Roddenberry turn a science-fiction dream into reality. Star Trek: The Original Series debuted on September 8th to a lukewarm reception that eventually got the series canceled.
Reruns didn’t just revitalize interest in the show. They helped the franchise become a pop culture phenomenon. So much so, it inspired a vast amount of spinoff material in the form of television shows, movies, books, and comics.
More importantly, it all has a different feel. Star Trek: The Animated Series feels more like a comedy, while Star Trek: Deep Space Nine feels more like a space opera. Even the characters feel unique from one another. Captain Michael Burnham is a no-nonsense leader, where Captain Kathryn Janeway always looks like she’s in on a juicy secret.
The fans are just as varied as the Star Trek universe. They are as different in age as they are in strong opinions. But it is undeniably their dedication to the franchise that, at least partially, inspired the creation of the reboot series.
The fans were almost a guaranteed audience. More than that, though, they were a litmus test of how a reboot series might be received by general audiences. Bad Robot Productions believed the movies would do well. It was only a matter of whether reality would match this faith.
Reboot series
Star Trek fans are notorious for being protective of their beloved content. When J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) directed the first installation to the reboot series in 2009, he had no idea how they might receive it.
Despite his concerns, however, it was highly acclaimed among fans and critics alike. This helped greenlight the equally well-received 2013 sequel Star Trek: Into Darkness. While fans weren’t a fan of that one underwear scene, they loved the callbacks to the original series.
Star Trek: Beyond, on the other hand, received more criticism than praise. One critic even called it frenetic and another condemned it for lacking significant challenges within the story.
The reception to that movie was so underwhelming that efforts to revive interest in the Star Trek universe were effectively rerouted to television series. There’s been no discussion of a new Star Trek movie . . . until now.
Star Trek 4
Star Trek 4 is set for release on June 9th, 2023. Luckily, fans are familiar with waiting for a new Star Trek movie. What the newest installation lacks in a cast or even an official title, it makes up for with a star-studded production team.
Paramount selected Matt Shakman (WandaVision) as director for the Abrams-produced project. They selected Lindsey Beer (Pet Sematary: Prequel) and Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) as writers.
The world of Star Trek is vast and, seemingly, endless. Whether or not the new Star Trek movie can make up for the previous installation is unclear. But fans are ready to get beamed aboard for another space adventure on board the Enterprise!
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What do you think about the Star Trek reboot series? Are you excited for Star Trek 4? Let us know in the comments below!
