Expand the Star Trek Cinematic Universe, Urges Lower Decks Creator

Article Overview

Star Trek movies are crucial for creating new fans and introducing them to the franchise.

A 2-hour Star Trek movie offers an ideal entry point for newcomers to explore the franchise without feeling overwhelmed by the TV series. With untapped potential for unlimited stories and movies, expanding the film series would greatly enhance the overall Star Trek franchise. #StarTrekMovies

Star Trek movies are in need of a refresh, as stated by Mike McMahan, the creator of Star Trek: Lower Decks. The most recent theatrical release in the Star Trek franchise was Star Trek Beyond in 2016, and efforts to produce a fourth movie under the direction of J.J. Abrams have faced numerous obstacles. While Paramount+ has plans for streaming-exclusive Star Trek movies every two years, beginning with Star Trek: Section 31 featuring Michelle Yeoh, the Star Trek movie franchise under Paramount Pictures remains stagnant.

During a Star Trek panel at the Revenge Of Comics Creators Block Party in Los Angeles, Mike McMahan, the executive producer of Star Trek: Lower Decks, expressed his enthusiasm (with a touch of humor) for more Star Trek movies. His statement is as follows:

I believe that it is essential for Star Trek to produce their movies, with new stories featuring the familiar crew, particularly Chris Pine. I am eager to witness their adventures on the big screen once again. It is high time for more Star Trek movies to be made. I am genuinely perplexed about the current situation. As someone who appreciates television shows and comics, I sincerely hope that they prioritize the creation of new Star Trek movies consistently.

Why Star Trek Movies Are So Important To The Franchise

Star Trek movies are a crucial gateway to creating new fans.

Mike McMahan is correct in his assertion that Star Trek should revive its inactive film franchise. This viewpoint is supported by the statements made by panelists from the Revenge Of block party's Star Trek discussion. Both Terry Matalas and Star Trek writer Marc Bernardin revealed that their initial encounters with Star Trek involved significant movies from the series: Matalas highlighted the underappreciated Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, while Bernardin mentioned Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (often referred to as "The one with the whales"). Given that watching 179 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation may be overwhelming for new viewers, introducing them to the franchise through a 2-hour Star Trek movie is an excellent approach. This was clearly seen in 2009 when individuals unfamiliar with Star Trek flocked to theaters to witness J.J. Abrams' Star Trek reboot film featuring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.

Following the resolution of the WGA writer's strike, Paramount Pictures reportedly made it a priority to develop a new Star Trek movie, potentially another reboot. Although audiences are eager to see Chris Pine reprise his role as Captain James T. Kirk leading the USS Enterprise crew, Star Trek could also venture beyond the Starship Enterprise for the first time and create fresh characters for a revitalized movie series. The untapped potential for stories and films within the Star Trek universe is limitless and could complement the already popular streaming TV series on Paramount+. The addition of more Star Trek movies would undoubtedly benefit the overall franchise.

Source: Revenge Of Comic Creators Block Party, Twitter/X

Editor's P/S

As a passionate Star Trek fan, I share Mike McMahan's sentiments regarding the importance of expanding the Star Trek Cinematic Universe. Star Trek movies have always played a vital role in introducing new fans to the franchise and captivating their imaginations. The immersive experience of a 2-hour movie provides an ideal entry point for newcomers, allowing them to explore the vast universe of Star Trek without feeling overwhelmed by the extensive TV series.

Moreover, expanding the film series would open up endless possibilities for storytelling and character development. The Star Trek universe is rich with untapped potential, and movies offer the perfect medium to delve into new frontiers and explore different aspects of the franchise. By bringing beloved characters to the big screen and introducing fresh storylines, Star Trek movies can attract both existing fans and newcomers alike, expanding the fanbase and keeping the franchise vibrant and relevant.