Will Elon Musk buy Paramount? More importantly, is Elon Musk trying to save Star Trek from Alex Kurtzman? Many believe so based on some recent events surrounding the sale of Star Trek owner Paramount.
Michael Dorn as Worf and Patrick Stewart as Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Paramount Pictures
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In a dramatic twist, a consortium of investors calling themselves “Project Rise Partners” has reportedly made a last-minute, $13.5 billion all-cash bid to acquire Paramount Global, challenging an earlier deal spearheaded by Larry Ellison and Skydance Media. This unexpected offer not only raises the stakes for Paramount’s future but has also sparked intense speculation about the mysterious backers behind the bid.
Which made the world wonder, could Elon Musk be attempting to save Star Trek?
According to Variety, Project Rise Partners submitted their superior bid on Friday, just as the Skydance Media and RedBird Capital Partners deal was nearing completion. Their proposal offers $19 per Class B share—a 27% premium over Skydance’s $15 per share—and includes a $2 billion boost to Paramount’s balance sheet. The bid’s attractiveness has thrown a wrench into what seemed to be a done deal, leaving the board with a fiduciary dilemma.
A Billionaire With a Star Trek Agenda?
While the identities of the investors behind Project Rise Partners remain undisclosed, a few tantalizing details have emerged.
Sources described one backer as “one of the richest men in the world” and another as “a pioneer in the satellite industry.” Naturally, speculation has turned toward Elon Musk, the tech mogul and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX.
Elon Musk via AutismCapital on X
Musk’s credentials fit the description perfectly. As the world’s wealthiest individual, with a net worth exceeding $430 billion, Musk has revolutionized industries ranging from electric vehicles to space exploration. His Starlink satellite constellation has reshaped global connectivity, cementing his reputation as a pioneer in cutting-edge technology.
But could the billionaire now have his sights set on Hollywood—and more specifically, Star Trek?
William Shatner’s Rallying Cry
Interestingly, the idea of Musk rescuing Star Trek isn’t new. Last August, William Shatner, the legendary actor behind Captain Kirk, took to X to suggest that Musk should take control of the franchise. Shatner’s remark was half-serious but quickly gained traction among fans who have been disappointed with the Alex Kurtzman-led era of Star Trek.
🤔 So does that mean you are buying Paramount? 😳😏 https://t.co/rgtqntIad9
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 27, 2024
The phrase “Make Star Trek Great Again” soon emerged as a rallying cry, echoing fans’ frustrations with the franchise’s current direction.
Shatner’s endorsement of Musk wasn’t just an offhand comment. As one of the original stars of the series, Shatner represents a direct link to the golden age of Star Trek.
William Shatner as James T. Kirk in Star Trek Generations (1996), Paramount Pictures
His suggestion that Musk might be the one to restore the franchise to its former glory has only fueled speculation that the tech mogul could now be making a play for Paramount.
Star Trek’s Alex Kurtzman Problem
For many fans, Star Trek has lost its way under the creative leadership of Alex Kurtzman.
Since taking the reins in 2017, Kurtzman has overseen multiple series, including Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and other spin-offs including the wildly unpopular Star Trek: Section 31. While some of these projects (one season of Picard which Kurtzman wasn’t involved in…) have drawn praise, they have also faced sharp criticism for straying too far from the franchise’s core values.
Alex Kurtzman speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for “Star Trek: Discovery”, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Critics argue that Kurtzman’s approach has sacrificed Star Trek’s optimism and intellectual depth in favor of flashy action sequences, divisive social commentary, and inconsistent storytelling.
The result? A growing rift between the franchise and its longtime fans. Many feel that the current Star Trek lacks the heart and vision that made the original series and its spin-offs cultural touchstones. If Musk is indeed involved in the Project Rise Partners bid, his no-nonsense, visionary style could be the disruptive force needed to steer the franchise back on course.
A Love Affair With Star Trek
Musk’s passion for Star Trek is no secret. He has often spoken about how the series inspired his dreams of space exploration and his vision for humanity’s future.
Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard in Star Trek: Picard (2023), Paramount+
The show even gave Musk a nod in Star Trek: Discovery Season 1, where his name was mentioned alongside other great innovators in history.
Given Musk’s history of embracing bold, transformative projects, many fans are hopeful that his involvement could bring fresh energy to Star Trek. After years of divisive creative decisions under Kurtzman, a Musk-led revival could be the reset the franchise desperately needs.
The Stakes for Paramount and Star Trek
For Paramount, Star Trek remains a tarnished crown jewel in its portfolio. Since its debut in 1966, the franchise has grown into a cultural phenomenon spanning multiple series, films, and merchandise lines. Paramount has controlled the property since its inception, consolidating its television and film rights under one roof after the CBS and Viacom merger in 2019.
Elon Musk via Real Time with Bill Maher YouTube
However, recent iterations have struggled to recapture the magic of Trek’s earlier years. Many fans blame Kurtzman’s creative decisions for alienating the franchise’s core audience and injecting modern day political discourse into what’s meant to be a utopic society. If Musk is indeed behind Project Rise Partners, he might be uniquely positioned to restore the series to its former glory, both creatively and financially.
As of now, the identities of Project Rise Partners’ backers remain officially unconfirmed. While Musk fits the profile, it’s also possible that another tech billionaire or satellite industry titan is behind the bid. Whoever it is, the board at Paramount faces a critical decision: accept the higher all-cash offer and potentially disrupt the existing Skydance deal, or stay the course and risk leaving billions on the table.
Do you want to see Elon Musk buy Paramount and by extension Star Trek? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
Straight from the man getting humans to Mars. He’s one of the few who demonstrably understands in the modern day why merit is important.
Nobody had issue with Sisko being black or Janeway being a woman because they were talented leaders. People had issue with the writing after DS9, but that was certainly true of Archer in Enterprise as well.
The Left were racist then and they’re racist now, and making Star Trek racist doesn’t work.
It would be a waste of money. Some IPs are beyond saving and Star Trek is one of them.
Save the money. Paramount is not worth it. What would be left is a hollow shell of the once former studio, not worth it.
Hollywood has the woke mind virus. The REAL solution is to make non-woke shows, and compete.