The Project Hail Mary author wasted no time clearing the air.
Project Hail Mary author Andy Weir openly criticized the current state of Star Trek and the franchise's current producer Alex Kurtzman during a recent podcast appearance. However, in a open letter addressed to Kurtzman, Weir wrote a sincere apology on his Facebook page (below):
“Hey, Alex. Andy Weir here. I'm posting to apologize about stuff I said on the Critical Drinker's podcast. I feel like my quotes were taken out of context as salacious sound bytes [bites]. I hope you saw the other parts where I said how much I like you as a person and what a nice guy you are. Also, how I like SNW [Strange New Worlds] and LD [Lower Decks]. I was trying to be funny, but in retrospect it comes off as disrespectful and mean. So I'm sorry for that.”
If Star Trek fans actually listened to Weir’s appearance on the Critical Drinker, the Project Hail Mary author made it clear that he is a Trekkie. Plus, in context, his comments about NuTrek (the Kurtzman Era), the current state of the franchise, and Kurtzman himself, weren’t blatant in nature. Weir continued writing in his apology:
“I was also trying to be self-deprecating when I said, ‘But they didn't like my pitch so f**k 'em!" but out of context it can read like I actually meant it. I'm a blunt person - always have been. And it's been 10 years since the media cared what I had to say about anything so I kind of forgot to watch my words when I have a film in theaters. In a couple months I'll be back in my cave writing novels, and no one will care again. Anyway, if you want to talk about it in real time - even if it's just to rip me a new one - I'm happy to hop on the phone or Zoom.”
Weir deserves credit for taking responsibility for what he said on the Critical Drinker podcast, which is something many so-called fans of Star Trek could learn a lesson from.
I’m constantly inundated with disrespectful and cruel comments directed toward the state of the franchise on the Redshirts Always Die social media pages from haters wanting the Kurtzman Era to end, but he produced a lot of good work over his tenure.
Remember, Kurtzman not only “reigned” over the release of J.J. Abrams’ must-see Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness but all five seasons of Strange New Worlds and the animated Prodigy, too.
And regardless of how some fans feel about Discovery, Michael Burnham remains one of the best new characters created in recent memory. Plus, who didn't enjoy Q (John de Lancie) returning for the entire second season of Picard? Share your thoughts and comments about the Kurtzman Era with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!