In the coming months, we hope to hear news about the next two Star Trek films. We're supposed to get two of them and while neither have official names yet, we've been referring to them as Star Trek 4 and Star Trek: Origins. However, both names will likely be changed in time.
The theatrical films have long been a source of enjoyment for fans, with the series producing more good films than bad. Albeit the film franchise is far from perfect. Still, the last three films were successful to a degree, with it peaking financially with Star Trek 2009, only for things to come crashing back down with Star Trek: Beyond. The latest film in the modern franchise was praised for a lot of reasons, but the trailer did seem to turn off a lot of potential fans before the film even came out.
It was one of the worst-performing films of the modern era. Yet, hope remains for the Chris Pine-led franchise, as we head into the next stage of potential theatrical releases. Potential because we've been waiting on the next film for almost a decade at this point. So we're not holding our breath.
Despite the failings of Beyond and the long wait, many are optimistic that the next film will be a hit for critics and fans alike. It's something the fandom needs, especially after the failure of Star Trek: Section 31 as a straight-to-streaming film offering. That film hindered the brand some, and it caused people to wonder about the viability of other made-for-streaming films.
Yet, good news seems to be right around the corner. One of the biggest architects of Section 31, series producer and lead creative mind, Alex Kurtzman is reportedly not attached to the films beyond Section 31. Speaking to Cinemablend, Kurtzman revealed that he only had a hand in Section 31 due to it starting as a series first and foremost, with the series head going on to say;
"I actually have nothing to do with that is the truth. Those decisions are made by people above my pay grade. My focus has just been on the television shows, and because Section 31 started originally as a television show....it ended up making sense to make it as a film...but as far as the larger vision for Star Trek beyond the TV shows, you'd have to ask Paramount."
Kurtzman's time leading the franchise has been mostly a mixed bag at best, and at worst a disaster. He's created some good shows, with Star Trek's Strange New Worlds, Prodigy, and to a lesser extent Lower Decks. He's also captained some of the worst shows and films Star Trek has ever done, with Discovery, Short Treks, Picard, and of course, Section 31.
He's been wildly inconsistent but after Section 31, it's pretty clear he should not be involved with Star Trek's creative plans going forward. Thankfully for the future of the film franchise, that appears to be the case.