Mike Sussman has not given up on creating a meaningful follow-up to Star Trek: Enterprise. Two years ago, the Enterprise producer and writer pitched Paramount with an idea, but the studio passed on the proposal at the time. However, things have changed since then. Paramount and Skydance merged earlier this year to form a new conglomerate, the Paramount Skydance Corporation. Plus, Sussman and Enterprise star Scott Bakula have developed a new story, which more closely lines up with what’s happening in the other Star Trek streaming projects populating the beloved franchise.
So, what is the likelihood of Sussman and Bakula’s idea, Star Trek: United, actually coming to fruition? Well, Sussman addressed the issue during his recent appearance on the All Access Star Trek podcast, and he was very honest about the possibility. He said (via TrekMovie.com): “This is not a real television show […] just a delightful little fantasy.”
In addition to his remarkable work on Enterprise, Sussman wrote over 20 episodes of Star Trek: Voyager. The writer and producer is seasoned fixture in creator Gene Roddenberry’s science fiction universe, but the fun of a Star Trek: United would be exploring the Enterprise characters later in their lives as 20 years have passed since the show ended in 2005. Sussman continued by saying in the same sit-down:
“It is encouraging, as a fan of the franchise, that they [Paramount Skydance] seem to be saying ‘We want to do more Star Trek streaming, we want to do more movies.’ I don’t know what their plans are, but if their plans involve expanding the footprint of Star Trek on streaming, then perhaps something like this could be a part of it. I mean, for me, crazier things have happened.”
Star Trek: United isn’t just a great idea because it explores the further adventures of Captain Archer (Bakula), who would be the President of the United Federation of Planets in Sussman’s hypothetical streaming series. No, it’s quite logical, too, especially when compared to the success season 3 of Picard enjoyed. Sussman and Bakula's idea teases all the earmarks for a successful streaming show on Paramount+.
Reuniting The Next Generation crew years after their final movie, Nemesis, for Star Trek: Picard was a no-brainer for Paramount, and it paid off handsomely. Fans rejoiced to see their favorite TNG characters back together again, and the streaming series was a success for the studio.
Enterprise could also cash in on the nostalgia factor with a Star Trek: United providing, of course, that the quality of Sussman and Bakula’s idea translates to compelling teleplays which are equal to the wonderful writing that came along with the final season of Picard.
Would you like to see Scott Bakula return to the small screen as Jonathan Archer? Which other Star Trek: Enterprise cast members would you like to see join Bakula if the streaming series happens? Share your thoughts and comments on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And read more about Mike Sussman and Bakula's new Star Trek: United idea below.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!