Star Trek aims for a younger and more relevant revamp and better synergy between the films and TV series
The future of Star Trek looks younger and brighter with the merge of CBS and Viacom reunifying the franchise.
As we celebrate 50 years of Star Trek the ViacomCBS merger means we ‘ain’t seen nothing yet’.
CBS chief creative officer David Nevins said the company will nurture the longtime franchises and take advantage of the seller’s market in streaming, according to Deadline.
‘We really believe in not only serving inside our own ecosystem but serving people outside,’ Nevins said at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Communications & Entertainment Conference in LA.
‘What we’re trying to do right now with Star Trek is build that brand. We want it to get younger and more relevant to people.’
He referred to the merger as creating a ‘virtuous eco-system’ where ‘If you’re smart about it, you can create a lot of value.’
When Viacom, the parent company of Paramount Pictures, spun CBS off as an independent entity in 2005 there were major effects on the Star Trek franchise. Paramount maintained film rights while CBS maintained the television rights and licensing rights.
This split resulted in an end to Star Trek’s 18-year continuous run on television and here was no new Star Trek until 2009 when Paramount launched its movie reboot of the franchise from director/producer JJ Abrams.
The cult science fiction franchise has spanned a wide range of spin-offs over the years from games to figurines, novels, toys, comics. and even a themed attraction in Las Vegas.
While season two of Star Trek: Discovery (the prequel to the original series), a CBS/Netflix drama, finished in April this year show bosses confirmed that episodes from season three won’t hit screens until ‘later’ in 2020.
The show has run into a bit of trouble with one of its writers, Walter Mosley, resigning after he was reported to HR for allegedly using the n-word in the writers’ room.
Despite the wait, Trekkies were treated to some exciting announcements with bosses confirming at Comic Con in July that David Ajala had been cast as the newest member of the Discovery fleet taking on the role of Cleveland Book.
The first trailer for spin-off show Picard starring Patrick Stewart was shown at Comic Con, with the new scenes revealing that Brent Spiner as Data, Jonathan Del Arco as Hugh the Borg and Jonathan Frakes as Riker will all be returning for the new series due in early 2020.
Additionally, two seasons have been ordered of an animated, adult comedy series created by the Rick and Morty writer Mike McMahan, titled Lower Decks, to follow the support crew of ‘one of Starfleet’s least important ships.’
There will also be a new animated children’s series for mini Trekkies on Nickelodeon as a joint-venture with CBS.
While we wait for the next Star Trek instalment to drop we give our best Vulcan Salute to this Star Trek: The Next Generation and Friends mash up.
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