The Highly Anticipated Picard Spinoff: The Inspiring Journey Yet to Be Greenlit by Paramount Plus
Star Trek: Legacy's fate hangs in the balance as Paramount Plus ponders its greenlight Discover why fans are eagerly awaiting this Picard spinoff and why Paramount Plus must seize the opportunity to make it happen
Summary
Paramount is hesitant to greenlight Star Trek: Legacy due to budget concerns and a desire to streamline the number of Star Trek shows.
Production on various Star Trek projects, including Legacy, has come to a standstill due to the continuous strikes initiated by the Writers and Screen Actors Guilds of America.
Although Star Trek: Legacy has enjoyed both commercial success and positive reviews, its fate hangs in the balance amidst the uncertainty caused by the strikes. However, there remains a glimmer of hope that once the labor disputes are resolved, Paramount may contemplate advancing the project.
Despite the strong interest in it, Paramount has not yet approved Star Trek: Legacy, Terry Matalas' proposed spinoff of the popular Star Trek: Picard series. The conclusion of Picard's final season left the opportunity for a new Star Trek show centered around the USS Enterprise-G, led by Captain Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan). Showrunner Terry Matalas has hinted that Star Trek: Legacy would incorporate characters from the franchise's past, present, and future, exploring the early 25th century in Starfleet's story.
A petition supporting Star Trek: Legacy has gathered over 60 thousand signatures, nearly double the amount of a similar petition that led to the commissioning of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Although Star Trek: Legacy seems like an obvious choice for the next installment in the franchise, there has been no official announcement. However, projects like Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Michelle Yeoh's Star Trek: Section 31 have been confirmed, leaving Legacy without a green light. Nevertheless, fans can remain hopeful, as Alex Kurtzman, Star Trek's creative director, has acknowledged the strong demand for Star Trek: Legacy. Unfortunately, there are currently significant obstacles preventing the realization of this Star Trek: Picard spinoff.
Why Paramount Plus Hasn’t Greenlit Star Trek: Legacy
Paramount's decision to reduce the number of Star Trek shows has had a significant impact on the franchise. The recent news revealed that Paramount+ will not be airing Season 2 of Star Trek: Prodigy, and Season 5 of Star Trek: Discovery has been canceled, with its final season scheduled to premiere in early 2024. With the conclusion of Star Trek: Picard, only two ongoing Trek shows remain in production. Unfortunately, both Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks have been affected by real-world issues, namely industrial action. The ongoing strikes by the Writers and Screen Actors Guilds of America have led to delays in the production of Season 3 of Strange New Worlds and Season 5 of Lower Decks. These strikes have also impacted the start of production for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Star Trek: Section 31. Until the studios can offer a more favorable deal to the writers and actors, and the unions accept it, any discussions regarding Terry Matalas' proposed Star Trek: Legacy project will be put on hold.
Why Paramount Plus Needs To Make Star Trek: Legacy Happen
Star Trek: Picard season 3 achieved immense success on Paramount+, consistently ranking among the top 10 shows according to Nielsen ratings. It earned critical acclaim and received recognition through various awards. Considering the impressive numbers attained by Picard, Paramount+ should carefully reconsider its decision to cancel Star Trek: Prodigy based solely on numerical data. Instead, they should acknowledge the enthusiastic fan base that craves Star Trek: Legacy, recognizing the potential for substantial profitability in expanding the franchise.
Apart from the sound business rationale behind commissioning a spinoff of Star Trek: Picard, Terry Matalas and his team of writers have demonstrated their ability to create innovative and captivating storylines. The unexpected return of Q (portrayed by John de Lancie) and the challenges faced by Starfleet in the post-Borg future present an intriguing backdrop for new adventures set in the 25th century. These narratives can effectively capture the essence of life in the 21st century. Undeniably, there is a strong desire for Star Trek: Legacy. Hopefully, once the ongoing strikes come to a satisfactory resolution, Paramount will arrange a meeting with Terry Matalas to outline the future trajectory of the franchise.
