On the Critical Drinker podcast last week, Project Hail Mary author Andy Weir said Paramount declined his pitch for a Star Trek series and sharply criticized much of the streamer’s recent Trek output. He told hosts he met with the franchise’s showrunners over Zoom and singled out a handful of newer series for praise while dismissing others. The exchange comes as Paramount+ manages recent cancellations and ongoing talks with franchise lead Alex Kurtzman about his production deal. The remarks have intensified discussion about the creative direction of Star Trek on streaming platforms.
Key Takeaways
- Andy Weir said he pitched a Star Trek series to Paramount and held Zoom meetings with the showrunners and executive producer Alex Kurtzman.
- On the podcast, Weir praised Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks but called several recent Trek series “shit” and said he was unhappy with much of the modern output.
- Paramount+ has confirmed Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will end after its already-shot second season; Strange New Worlds reportedly has two more years planned.
- There are currently no other Star Trek projects in active production, marking an unusual pause for the franchise on Paramount+.
- Alex Kurtzman’s deal with CBS Studios runs through the end of 2026; Paramount+ is reportedly in talks with Kurtzman and his Secret Hideout company about the future of the partnership.
Background
Star Trek has been a core property for Paramount and Paramount+ since the platform launched its revival slate. Over recent years the franchise has expanded to multiple series ranging from the large-scale serialized dramas to animated and comedic spinoffs, producing mixed reactions among longtime fans and new viewers alike. The stewardship of the TV revival has been largely associated with producer Alex Kurtzman and his Secret Hideout company, which has overseen a significant portion of the new content.
Tensions over tone and continuity have been a recurring theme: some fans and critics have welcomed shows that revisit classic Star Trek themes, while others have been critical of creative choices and perceived deviations from past franchise norms. Paramount+’s pipeline recently shifted when Starfleet Academy was pulled after a second season that had already finished shooting, and reports indicate a temporary lull in active Trek productions. Those programming moves have amplified questions about what direction the studio will take next.
Main Event
The episode of the Critical Drinker podcast began with host Will Jordan noting how Project Hail Mary’s box office success felt refreshing to audiences who grew up with Star Trek. Weir responded by reflecting on his Gen X upbringing—citing reruns of the original series and later The Next Generation as formative science-fiction experiences. That context led into his assessment of the contemporary Trek slate.
During the conversation, another participant identified only as Marsden suggested some newer Trek projects be left off the public record, a comment Weir echoed with a mix of amusement and blunt critique. Weir said he met via Zoom with the franchise showrunners and Kurtzman to pitch his idea, but Paramount declined to move forward. He added that while Kurtzman is a pleasant person, he felt the current shows were subpar.
Weir singled out Strange New Worlds as a title he enjoyed and described Lower Decks as entertaining, but he characterized several other recent entries as poor fits for the franchise. His language was explicit and uncompromising—remarks that quickly circulated through entertainment trades and fan channels. The Hollywood Reporter sought comment from Paramount; at the time of writing, the studio had not provided a public reply to Weir’s comments.
Analysis & Implications
Weir’s public dismissal of multiple recent Trek series amplifies an ongoing debate about the franchise’s creative direction. When a high-profile novelist publicly criticizes a studio’s stewardship of an iconic property, it can reverberate among fans, talent, and executives—potentially influencing recruitment, pitch dynamics, and internal strategy. Artists and writers who might pitch ideas to Paramount may now weigh perceived openness to original voices versus the studio’s established creative approach.
The reported production pause—no new Trek projects actively filming—creates a window for Paramount+ to reassess priorities. It also raises commercial questions: the franchise remains a marquee IP that can drive subscribers, but inconsistent reception to recent shows risks diluting brand equity. Negotiations with Kurtzman over his deal through 2026 will be a critical indicator of whether the studio intends continuity or a course correction.
For the franchise’s global audience, the mix of renewals, cancellations and public disputes could complicate expectations about canon and continuity. Suggestions from some commentators to “de-canonize” material from Enterprise onward would represent a bold reframing of decades of storytelling—one that could alienate some viewers while offering a fresh slate for others. Any formal change to canon would be consequential both narratively and for stakeholders who have invested in those series.
Comparison & Data
| Series | Current Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strange New Worlds | Active | Reportedly has two more years planned on Paramount+ |
| Starfleet Academy | Canceled | Second season filmed; will be the final season to air |
| Other Trek projects | None in production | Unusual lull in franchise production activity |
The table summarizes known production statuses reported by industry outlets. While the franchise still carries committed seasons, the broader dearth of active projects marks an operational shift; studios sometimes pause development to consolidate creative strategy or renegotiate leadership deals, such as Kurtzman’s arrangement that runs through 2026.
Reactions & Quotes
“All the others, they can go. I pitched a Star Trek show to Paramount…they didn’t accept my pitch so, you know, fuck ’em.”
Andy Weir, author
This blunt assessment framed Weir’s stance: a combination of personal preference for certain shows and direct frustration with Paramount’s reception of his proposal.
“How refreshing the box office hit Project Hail Mary has been,”
Will Jordan, Critical Drinker (podcast host)
The podcast host used Weir’s film success to contrast the perceived scarcity of contemporary space-adventure storytelling compared with classic Treks.
“The joy comes from adventuring across boundaries of time, space, and the humanly possible,”
Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau & Gaia Violo (open letter, franchise EPs)
The franchise’s leadership pushed back publicly when the Starfleet Academy cancellation was reported, emphasizing Star Trek’s aspirational themes and the creative values they say the franchise embodies.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Paramount will formally “de-canonize” parts of the franchise beyond Enterprise is speculative and has not been announced.
- The outcome of ongoing talks with Alex Kurtzman and Secret Hideout about extending or reshaping his deal is unconfirmed; public reporting describes talks but no finalized agreement.
- No official statement from Paramount confirming Weir’s account of the pitch meetings has been released at the time of writing.
Bottom Line
Andy Weir’s comments highlight fault lines within Star Trek fandom and at Paramount+ over how the franchise should evolve on television. His high-profile critique and the revelation that a major publisher turned down his pitch put a spotlight on decision-making at the studio and the role of gatekeepers in shaping flagship IP.
For viewers and industry observers, the immediate effect will likely be intensified scrutiny of remaining seasons and leadership decisions—particularly negotiations with Kurtzman through 2026. Whether this moment leads to substantive course correction, narrative rebooting, or a return to steady, familiar production depends on internal negotiations and how Paramount+ evaluates the franchise’s commercial and cultural value moving forward.
Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter (Entertainment trade / industry reporting)