Star Trek began its long wagon train to the stars as a meager sci-fi TV show 50 years ago. Since then, the franchise has conquered television, film, and amassed a vast merchandising empire and fan base. But as enjoyable as the films, including this summer’s Star Trek Beyond, have been, Star Trek is (arguably) most at home in a serial TV show format.
The latest TV incarnation of Star Trek is scheduled to break new ground next year on CBS’ streaming platform All-Access. With a January 2017 premiere, though, the still-unnamed series will need to start shooting sooner rather than later now.
Fortunately, it looks like the next televised phase of Star Trek is slated to begin production this fall. Unlike earlier Star Trek series, though, which shot primarily in and around Los Angeles, Trek Core suggests that this new show will film in Toronto. This change in venue would make sense, since showrunner Brian Fuller (Hannibal) is also producing the Toronto-filmed American Gods Starz TV series.
In addition to Fuller, the show will be written and produced by Star Trek-vet Nicholas Meyer, with Gene Roddenberry’s son, Rod Roddenberry producing, along with Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek Into Darkness) and Heather Kadin. There have also been some reports that former Star Trek TV show cast members, such as Tony Todd (who played Worf’s brother Kurn on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine), will be joining the cast of the Fuller-led series.
Fuller and crew have been keeping the new Star Trek under wraps thus far. The only official word on the show’s plot has come in the form of a synopsis, which states:
Other than that, no major information has trickled out about the new show, its plot details, the main characters, or the new ship (Enterprise or otherwise). Fans not enamored with the rebooted film series can rest fairly easily, though, since the show is expected to be unconnected to the alternate timeline-based saga. Recently, one rumor suggested the new show could be take place between the original series and Next Generation. The first teaser poster also seems to recall a time between the two seminal series, although the graphics could be meant to conjure up nostalgia (and not tease a specific time period).
“The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.”
Whether the new Star Trek winds up being heavily serialized or even anthologized, as some have speculated (or something entirely different) all eyes will be on the next chapter and its talented team. Hopefully, the writers and producers will be able to find the balance between thought-provoking classic Trek feel yet add a fresh angle to entice and challenge fans and non-Trekkers alike.
Star Trek Beyond will open in U.S. theaters on July 22nd, 2016. The new Star Trek TV show pilot will premiere on CBS in January 2017 and stream exclusively through CBS All Access thereafter.
Source: Trek Core [via Screen Crush]
