Star Trek: The Next Generation Reboot With Patrick Stewart Reportedly in Development
Rumors of the Picard-centric reboot come amid Alex Kurtzman extending his CBS contract for a planned expansion of the Star Trek TV universe.
According to a THR article, there are unconfirmed rumors that CBS TV Studios is developing a Star Trek reboot starring Patrick Stewart in which he would reprise his The Next Generation role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. According to THR's sources, Alex Kurtzman and Akiva Goldsman are attached to the potential reboot. Not only is this an unconfirmed project, but THR's sources also say that the deal is far from complete and might not happen. Still, this would be huge news for Star Trek fandom—however you might feel about a Picard-centric reboot.
The rumors of the Picard reboot come amidst Kurtzman renewing his overall deal with CBS Television Studios, extending his contract by five years. This will keep him in partnership with the studio through 2023, for a reported $5 million per year.
Kurtzman was recently made sole showrunner of Star Trek: Discovery following the dismissal of previous co-showrunners Aaron Harberts and Gretchen Berg who left amidst reports of bullying behavior in the writers room. Goldsman, who served as an executive producer on Season 1 of Discovery, also left the show, reportedly due to a clash with the writing staff in terms of management style and personality, so it's interesting that he is still attached to the potential Picard-centric reboot.
In addition to his work on Star Trek: Discovery, Kurtzman's extended deal with CBS Television Studios will include an expansion of the Star Trek franchise on the small screen, including the development of new series, miniseries, and other content, including animation.
While this generally seems like good news for the Star Trek universe, it may also be disappointing, depending on what kind of Star Trek fan you are. While the move represents a reinvestment in the Star Trek TV universe, Kurtzman is not known for critical success. Previously, he has co-written the scripts for Transformers, Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. More recently, he directed and co-wrote The Mummy. Not exactly the kind of nuanced science fiction writing Star Trek has, at its best, historically represented.
More news on the expanded Star Trek TV universe as we hear it. [Reply]
The first episode of Picard season 3 comes out tomorrow, and I can't believe I'm letting myself get excited for it again. The reviews have been... pretty good! A sampling:
Originally Posted by :
"A rip-roaring, crowd-pleasing return to form that finally gives us what we’ve wanted all along, bringing back all our Next Generation favorites for a beautiful and emotional reunion."
"Star Trek: Picard begins its third and final season with a cinematic spectacle and a love letter to the TNG era."
"Season 3, however, marks a significant, and welcome, course correction. Instead of attempting another reheat of Star Trek’s greatest hits, this final series is a genuine attempt to recapture the thrill of Trek in its prime."
Please don't let me down again Star Trek. Please. [Reply]
That was an enjoyable enough first episode. The tone is definitely different this season.
Are we going to get an explanation on what happened between the end of season2 and the beginning of this season at some point? Seems like we skipped over a ton of stuff. [Reply]
Yeah, when I heard the Brit accent I mostly figured. I groaned a little thinking of how they went all Dr. Carol Marcus Part Deux. I feel like there may be more to Crusher's story as to why she ran off, but that was my first thought.
Originally Posted by Bowser:
That was an enjoyable enough first episode. The tone is definitely different this season.
Are we going to get an explanation on what happened between the end of season2 and the beginning of this season at some point? Seems like we skipped over a ton of stuff.
Far better than the shit that was Season 2, which I finally bailed on midway through.
One complaint is what a complete over the top asshole the Titan captain is. No way in hell do a retired captain and admiral get put up in bunkbeds. While I assume he's fated to get whacked early on, pulling that kind of shit would get you the command of Star Fleet's equivalent of Adak. That was just silly. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Frazod:
Far better than the shit that was Season 2, which I finally bailed on midway through.
One complaint is what a complete over the top asshole the Titan captain is. No way in hell do a retired captain and admiral get put up in bunkbeds. While I assume he's fated to get whacked early on, pulling that kind of shit would get you the command of Star Fleet's equivalent of Adak. That was just silly.
Yeah, I could see a brash young captain trying to puff up on retired officers trying to get their way, but Picard and Riker with all they've done in their careers? Shit, most captains would take the helm themselves and plot a course to wherever for those two, because there wouldn't BE a Starfleet without those two.
BUT, the story needed him to be that big of a dick to justify Seven basically telling Shaw to go fuck himself as she shat her career away because she couldn't take it anymore. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
Do I need to watch Season 2 to get into Season 3?
I just want the Enterprise crew back together. I don't want to hear about Picard's weird time shit crap he does with Q
Only one episode in, but I'd say probably not. It's more of a "you now know these people, here's what they're doing" instead of a continuous storyline with those characters from Season 2. So far. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Frazod:
One complaint is what a complete over the top asshole the Titan captain is. No way in hell do a retired captain and admiral get put up in bunkbeds. While I assume he's fated to get whacked early on, pulling that kind of shit would get you the command of Star Fleet's equivalent of Adak. That was just silly.
He didn't bother me, there have been plenty of by-the-book assholes in Star Trek before. Captain Jellico and Admiral Bitchayev, off the top of my head. [Reply]
Just finished the second episode. Shit definitely picked up when Raffi's "handler" identified himself. :-)
I guess I'll spoiler this next bit for now.
Spoiler!
While I appreciate the numerous throwbacks to the movies, the whole Jack being Picard's son was over the top obvious and kind of silly. I'd say at this point they've mined Star Trek II pretty much to death. I don't think we need a tough guy version of David Marcus mucking shit up.
