Star Trek’s Movie Problem: Are They FORGETTING What Made Them Great?

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Despite the smooth release of new Star Trek television series, the film segment presents unique challenges. The latest installment, Section 31, marked a return for the franchise after nine years, but it faced criticisms and audience discontent. Apart from being exclusively available on Paramount+ without a theatrical release, the movie seemed to be missing a crucial element that I believe was instrumental in making the most successful Trek films – a strong narrative connection.

When discussing Star Trek films that resonated with both critics and viewers, I’d like to call attention to three notable ones: the 2009 movie from the Kelvin universe, “First Contact,” and “The Wrath of Khan.” These movies share a unique trait – they all maintain a significant link to the original TV shows. I believe that for the franchise to thrive in cinemas, it’s crucial for it to revisit this connection.

Star Trek Is Torn Between Creating Stories For The Masses And Its Dedicated Fans

Instead of just raking in profits from “Star Trek” series on streaming platforms globally, Paramount appears more focused on developing narratives aimed at attracting fresh viewers, as opposed to solely catering to the existing fanbase sustaining the long-standing franchise.

In Section 31, Michelle Yeoh reappeared for the first time since her character’s departure from Star Trek: Discovery. It could be supposed that this dual occurrence influenced Paramount’s decision to feature her in their latest film after a long hiatus, but it was actually just one of these circumstances that had an impact on the casting choice.

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Discovery. This suggests that the creators or Paramount made a conscious decision to make the movie accessible without requiring viewers to watch the television series first. If the aim is to attract as many viewers as possible, particularly for a theatrical release, this seems like a wise choice.

Absolutely, “Section 31” didn’t hit the big screen; instead, it was premiered on Paramount+. Given that “Star Trek” is a mammoth franchise on this streaming platform, it has a devoted fanbase eager to stream. And as luck would have it, many of these fans tuned in to watch “Discovery”.

Essentially, the dedicated fanbase felt let down because the movie deviated significantly from the storyline of their favorite character, who they had been following for several seasons on the prior series. It appears that a general audience wasn’t particularly eager to watch Section 31, as indicated by low subscription numbers.

In simpler terms, I expressed my frustration, shared by other “Star Trek” enthusiasts, about certain aspects of the series. As fans, we crave connections to the shows, but let’s be honest. Actors from the franchise have hinted at a dwindling fanbase, and “Star Trek” needs to attract new viewers to stay relevant in the future. However, I believe “Section 31” demonstrates the importance of not neglecting the core fanbase entirely while trying to appeal to a wider audience, and past films suggest it’s possible to achieve this balance effectively.

The Wrath Of Khan, First Contact And Star Trek (2009) Were Able To Do This Perfectly

It’s odd to me that Star Trek didn’t explore connections with Section 31 on television, and it appears they’re continuing this pattern by limiting ties to Trek TV with their upcoming origin movie. It’s worth noting that Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was a sequel to the “Space Seed” episode, First Contact continued the Bog storylines from The Next Generation, and 2009’s Star Trek centered around the destruction of Romulus in the Prime Universe. In essence, most movies set in the Prime Universe seem to be linked to the TV shows, as they share the same cast of actors.

Regarding the named films and their high levels of recognition, it seems reasonable to argue that they suffered due to how they blended in established TV storylines within their screenplays. This perplexes me greatly, given Section 31‘s choice to cut significant connections with Discovery. I’m left wondering about the rationale behind this move.

One of the great advantages that “Star Trek” has over other franchises is its deep 60-year history, which provides a wealth of material for creating fresh narratives. In Hollywood, where reinventing the wheel can be challenging, it makes sense to rely on established stories and characters to rejuvenate the franchise and ensure a successful return to the big screen.

Will Paramount Marry The Television And Film Side Once Again?

It seems unlikely that Paramount will combine their film and television divisions in the near future, as Alex Kurtzman has confirmed he won’t be part of the new film production, and no new information about it was shared at CinemaCon. Patrick Stewart also mentioned earlier that he would listen to proposals for a Picard movie, but we haven’t received any significant updates on that project yet.

It’s puzzling that there hasn’t been any news about a movie for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, considering its high visibility and popularity. To me, it’s an ideal starting point for anyone wanting to delve into the franchise, and the talented cast would make a great fit for a cinematic adventure. However, it appears that Paramount isn’t interested in combining film and television aspects of Trek at the moment, so I wouldn’t hold my breath for this idea becoming reality any time soon.

Despite some challenges in releasing Star Trek movies in theaters, there’s still plenty of exciting news on the horizon! This summer, you can look forward to Season 3 of Strange New Worlds, and a new Starfleet Academy series is expected to debut in 2026. Kudos to the TV team for continuing to provide fresh content for fans, even as we bid farewell to some shows over the past couple of years.

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2025-04-30 14:09