The Impact of TNG on the Failure of William Shatner’s Star Trek Movie: Insights from the Executive Producer

Article Overview

Star Trek V's failure cannot be solely attributed to Star Trek: The Next Generation, as there were multiple factors involved.

Although TNG may have garnered mixed reactions from Star Trek fans, its release during the show's summer break ensured it faced no direct competition. In contrast, Star Trek V hit theaters during a bustling summer blockbuster season, resulting in its overshadowing by more popular films and consequent underperformance.

Producer Harve Bennett blamed Star Trek: The Next Generation for the failure of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. In his memoir, "Star Trek: Movie Memories," William Shatner, the actor-director of The Final Frontier, revealed that Bennett believed the introduction of The Next Generation TV show in 1987 created competition within the franchise. The previous four Star Trek movies had been released to an audience hungry for new Trek content, but with The Next Generation airing simultaneously, The Final Frontier struggled to perform well at the box office.

By the time Star Trek V was released, the fans had become less eager for it. Star Trek: The Next Generation had already completed its second successful year, airing on either Saturday or Sunday nights at seven or eight P.M. in most markets. Instead of having to go to the theaters, the fans were able to enjoy their warm turkey without ever leaving their couches. Our performance has never taken this into account, and I have been informed by the more casual fans that although they wanted to see Star Trek V, they didn't want to miss an episode of the new show. Consequently, by the time they eventually got around to seeing the new feature, it had already disappeared from the theaters.

Is TNG To Blame For Star Trek V's Failure?

Lots of factors contributed to Star Trek V underperforming.

Harve Bennett's theory that the Star Trek audience was divided between watching Star Trek V in theaters and staying home to enjoy Star Trek: The Next Generation holds some merit. However, it is important to note that Star Trek V was released during the summer of 1989, while TNG was on a summer hiatus with no new episodes until the fall. Therefore, there was no direct competition from TNG. It is more plausible that negative word of mouth and critical reviews significantly impacted Star Trek V's performance. Additionally, the overall quality of William Shatner's film posed significant challenges.

Star Trek: The Next Generation gradually built its fanbase during its second season, but it had not yet achieved the level of excellence that would propel it to become one of the greatest sci-fi series of all time.

The real challenge for TNG was not its own competition, but rather the fact that it was released during one of the most blockbuster-packed movie summers of the decade. In 1989, moviegoers were inundated with highly anticipated films such as Batman, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Lethal Weapon 2, Ghostbusters 2, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, License to Kill, and many more. In the midst of this fierce competition, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, which was deemed inferior by diehard Trekkers compared to its predecessor Star Trek IV, got lost in the shuffle. Although Star Trek: The Next Generation managed to satisfy the cravings of many Star Trek fans, had Star Trek V been a compelling film that captured the attention of both loyal followers and casual viewers alike, it could have risen above the fierce competition.

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek: The Next Generation are available to stream on Paramount+.

Source: "Star Trek Movie Memories" by William Shatner and Chris Kreski

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of both Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation, I found the article's insights into the failure of William Shatner's Star Trek movie quite intriguing. While it is true that TNG's success may have played a role in diverting some of the attention away from Star Trek V, I believe that the film's underperformance can be attributed to a combination of factors.

One significant factor, in my opinion, was the timing of Star Trek V's release. As mentioned in the article, the film hit theaters during a busy summer blockbuster season, facing fierce competition from other highly anticipated movies. This made it difficult for Star Trek V to stand out and capture the attention of audiences who were already drawn to other big-budget releases. Additionally, the film's release coincided with the summer hiatus of TNG, which meant that fans had to choose between seeing the movie or catching up on their favorite TV show. While some fans may have opted to see Star Trek V, it is likely that many others prioritized watching the new episodes of TNG, leading to lower attendance at the box office.

However, I do not believe that TNG was solely responsible for the failure of Star Trek V. The film itself faced criticism for its uneven storytelling, lackluster villain, and underwhelming special effects. While some fans may have enjoyed the return of the original cast, it seems that many were left disappointed by the overall quality of the movie. In contrast, TNG had the advantage of being a fresh and exciting new series that captured the imagination of audiences with its compelling characters, thought-provoking storylines, and groundbreaking visual effects.