New Star Trek Film Teased as Dark Thriller
Writer-directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein are developing a new Star Trek movie with a new cast, inspired by thrillers like Crimson Tide
A new Star Trek film is in development from writer-directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. The project, which is not yet in production, will feature a completely new cast, moving on from the actors of the previous cinematic series.
According to an interview the filmmakers gave to Inverse, their script will be a dark thriller. They cited the films Crimson Tide and Training Day as key inspirations. Both of those movies, which star Denzel Washington, deal with themes of power abuse.
A New Cast and a New Tone
Daley and Goldstein confirmed their film will not include the cast from the recent trilogy, such as Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Karl Urban. This marks a fresh start for the cinematic branch of the franchise, which has not seen a new film since 2016's Star Trek Beyond.
The directors' stated goal is to offer a different look at the Star Trek universe while staying true to its core ideals. Their previous collaborative work, including Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, has been comedic, making this a significant tonal shift.
Exploring Institutional Flaws
The filmmakers plan to use their thriller framework to examine Starfleet as a long-standing institution. John Francis Daley explained their approach to Inverse.
He said the film would acknowledge that "there are some bad apples in every institution that can have a strong voice and can really make an impact on that institution and everything it stands for." Daley emphasized this is not a cynical take, but an acknowledgment of complexity within an otherwise idealized future.
A Real-Time Narrative Structure
Another unique element of the planned film is its narrative structure. Daley suggested the story would unfold "in real time." This places it in a similar category to contained thrillers like Locke, Phone Booth, and the television series 24.
This structural choice could contribute to the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere hinted at by the Crimson Tide and Training Day comparisons. The directors believe this approach can expand what a Star Trek movie can be without betraying the franchise's fundamental spirit.
The project is one of several attempts to revive the Star Trek film series over the past decade, following unrealized pitches from filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino. The franchise is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary. Daley and Goldstein's latest film, the action comedy Mayday, is set for release on Apple TV+ on September 4th.
