Last month it was announced that Bryan Fuller, the creator of the much beloved cult-hit basic cable drama Hannibal, will serve as the show-runner of the all new Star Trek program on CBS to be aired through their exclusive streaming service. Based on the original property and series run created by Gene Roddenberry in the 1960s, the new show will is set to feature Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan director, Nicholas Meyer, as writer and producer, and may see the return of such franchise all-stars as actor Tony Todd (who previously played Kurn on Star Trek: The Next Generation).
Fans of the original CBS science-fiction drama are no doubt hoping for a more subtle and philosophically mindful genre production in keeping with series creator Roddenberry's original vision when the series finally sees its premiere in January 2017, and no doubt have certain expectations of where they might like to see the property taken next. That being said, the latest news sure sounds promising regarding a return to the seminal appeal of the series given the choice of the show's latest executive producers.
According to THR, Gene Roddenberry's son, Rod Roddenberry, will be joined by Trevor Roth, COO of Roddenberry Entertainment, as executive producers on the new CBS show. Joining the likes of such seminal television talents and co-producers as Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek Into Darkness), Heather Kadin, and Fuller, it would appear as though the return of Star Trek to television is in more than capable hands, and could very well result in a new program capable of pleasing even the most die hard Trekkies. When asked for comment on the program's latest choice of executive producers, Fuller stated:
"Gene Roddenberry, the Great Bird of the Galaxy, left a finely feathered nest for all who love Star Trek to enjoy. It is only fitting that Rod Roddenberry and Roddenberry Entertainment join our new Trek adventure to ensure that his father’s legacy of hope for the future and infinite diversity in infinite combinations runs through our tales as Gene Roddenberry intended."
Such strong words of commendation for Rod Roddenberry's familial legacy going forward on the new project are certainly stirring, and serve to speak to the kind of integrity that viewers can hope to see when the pilot episode premieres early next year. As far as taking up the reins to his father's legacy as a seminal creator of original broadcast television programming, the junior Roddenberry remarked:
"While I will always be humbled by its legacy and the legions of fans who are its guardians, it’s a genuine honor to be joining a team of imaginative and incredibly capable individuals whose endeavor it is to uphold the tenets of Star Trek’s legacy while bringing it to audiences in a new era and on a contemporary platform."
It will certainly be interesting to see the shape that the new Star Trek series will take when it makes its move to an online streaming platform. But given the fact that Roddenberry has served in the past as a consulting producer on the fan-made web series Star Trek: New Voyages, in addition to directing the 2011 documentary about the franchise's lasting impact, Trek Nation, the move from basic cable to the Internet should be a smooth and lucrative one for all parties involved.
NEXT: What We Want to See in the New Star Trek TV Show
Star Trek Beyond will see theatrical release in the U.S. on July 22nd, 2016. The new Star Trek TV show pilot will premiere on CBS in January 2017 and stream exclusively through CBS All Access thereafter.
Source: THR