Paramount Pictures has announced the development of two new Star Trek films, both under the production umbrella of J.J. Abrams. According to a recent Deadline report, one project promises the return of Captain Kirk and his iconic crew, while the other introduces fresh characters directed by Toby Haynes of Andor fame.
Another high priority for the Skydance owned Paramount, is ‘Star Trek’ which Ellison has been involved with since the 2013 sequel ‘Star Trek Into Darkness.’ As for right now they are developing a film that includes brand new characters that ‘Andor’ director Toby Haynes is on… pic.twitter.com/MUZbhJJk28
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) August 13, 2025
On the surface, this sounds like a bold expansion for the franchise. But with Abrams at the helm— the architect of the divisive Kelvin Timeline movies—and his long-time collaborator Alex Kurtzman looming in the background as a key figure in modern Trek, many fans fear this will deliver more of the action-heavy, lore-bending spectacle that’s left traditionalists cold for over a decade.
J. J. Abrams speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, 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
The announcement comes as Paramount, now under Skydance ownership, positions Star Trek as a “priority across the company,” according to co-chair Dana Goldberg. The first film, scripted by Steve Yockey, will reunite familiar faces like Kirk and Spock, presumably picking up from the Kelvin Timeline established in Abrams’ 2009 reboot.
The second, penned by Seth Grahame-Smith and produced alongside Simon Kinberg, aims to explore new territory with Haynes directing. No release dates or plot details have been revealed, but Abrams’ involvement in both ensures his signature style will permeate these projects.
The Kelvin Timeline: A Flashy Reboot That Divided the Fandom
To understand the apprehension, we must revisit Abrams’ Kelvin Timeline trilogy: Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond.
These films reimagined the original series with a younger cast, including Chris Pine as Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, and Zoe Saldana as Uhura. While commercially successful—grossing over $1 billion combined—they were criticized for prioritizing high-octane action over the thoughtful exploration that defined Gene Roddenberry’s vision.
Left to right: Zachary Quinto plays Spock and Karl Urban plays Bones in Star Trek Beyond from Paramount Pictures, Skydance, Bad Robot, Sneaky Shark and Perfect Storm Entertainment
Fans often lambast the movies for superficial changes: more romance, explosive set pieces, and infamous lens flares that Abrams himself admitted were overused.
Others point to lore inconsistencies, like altered character backstories and a faster-paced narrative that felt more akin to Star Wars. Ironically, Abrams would later direct The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker for Lucasfilm.
Zachary Quinto as Spcok and Chris Pine as Captain Kirk in Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), Paramount Pictures
Even Star Trek Beyond, directed by Justin Lin and often praised as the strongest entry, couldn’t fully escape the shadow of Abrams’ influence as producer. Critics argue the timeline was a “convenient excuse to give Star Trek a fresh coat of paint,” but it sacrificed the franchise’s soul for blockbuster appeal.
Abrams has openly admitted he wasn’t a Trek fan growing up, once calling it “too philosophical” and wishing it were more like Star Wars. This detachment, fans say, shows in the end product.
Alex Kurtzman: Abrams’ Disciple and the Face of Modern Trek’s Woes
Though not explicitly named in the new films’ announcements, Alex Kurtzman is inextricably linked to Abrams’ Star Trek era.
As co-writer on the first two Kelvin films alongside Roberto Orci, Kurtzman helped shape the reboots’ controversial direction. Since taking the reins of Star Trek television in 2018, he’s overseen shows like Discovery, Picard, Strange New Worlds, and Lower Decks—productions that have polarized audiences even further.
Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard in Star Trek: Picard (2023), Paramount+
Kurtzman’s tenure is frequently derided for injecting “woke” elements, portraying a corrupt Starfleet, and emphasizing grim realism over optimism. Many label his shows as bland and generic Hollywood fare that misunderstands the franchise.
Michael Burnham on Star Trek Discovery – YouTube, Star Trek
As Abrams’ longtime collaborator—dating back to projects like Alias and Mission: Impossible III—Kurtzman is seen as his disciple by some. Their shared style has turned Trek into a spectacle-driven brand, far from its roots in optimism and exploration. With Abrams producing the new films, it’s reasonable to expect Kurtzman’s influence, whether direct or indirect, perpetuating the same issues.
Why This Feels Like More of the Same—and What It Means for Trek’s Future
Abrams’ attachment signals a continuation of the Kelvin era’s flaws: over-the-top visuals, retconned lore, and a focus on mass appeal over substance. Paired with Kurtzman’s track record (should he still be involved), these films risk alienating core fans who crave the intellectual, utopian ideals of classic Trek.
A Klingon in Star Trek: Discovery – YouTube, Star Trek
That said, Haynes’ involvement in the new-character film offers a glimmer of hope. His work on Andor brought grounded, character-driven storytelling to Star Wars, potentially injecting fresh energy. Yet, with Abrams overseeing, it’s hard to shake the fear of lens-flared mediocrity.
Michelle Yeoh in Star Trek: Section 31 – YouTube, Paramount Plus
In the end, Star Trek thrives on bold ideas, not recycled reboots. If these projects lean into Abrams’ and Kurtzman’s playbook, they may satisfy casual viewers but leave die-hards beaming up their expectations—only to be let down again.
How do you feel about J.J. Abrams continuing to be involved in Star Trek? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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The original is still on @ 7:00, Sunday through Friday. You can get the entire 80+ episode run for less than $100. That… that’s all you need.
Jar Jar Abrams is involved. This is going to be a MASSIVE disappointment just because of that. Has he directed anything that wasn’t a complete joke?
Star Trek is as dead as disco, and the new Jewish owners are going to turn out to be just as bad as the last Jewish owners. And everything after Voyager, including the abomination that was Enterprise, is garbage tier fan fiction that needs dumped from the canon.