Star Trek is one of the most beloved and successful science fiction franchises in history. Since its debut in 1966, it has spawned multiple television series, movies, books, and other forms of media. Despite its popularity, there has been a notable absence of Star Trek movies on Paramount Plus, the streaming service that is now the home of the franchise. In a recent interview, Jonathan Frakes, who is known for his role as Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation, explained why Paramount Plus doesn't make Star Trek movies.

The history of Star Trek movies

Star Trek movies have been a significant part of the franchise since the release of the first film in 1979. Over the years, there have been 13 Star Trek movies, featuring iconic characters such as Captain Kirk, Spock, and Captain Picard. While some of these movies have been critical and commercial successes, others have failed to resonate with audiences. The last Star Trek movie, Star Trek Beyond, was released in 2016.

Paramount Plus and Star Trek content

Paramount Plus is the streaming service owned by ViacomCBS, the company behind the Star Trek franchise. Since its launch, the service has become the home of several Star Trek series, including Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and Star Trek: Lower Decks. While the series have been successful, many fans have been wondering why there are no Star Trek movies on Paramount Plus.

Jonathan Frakes and his involvement in Star Trek

Jonathan Frakes is an actor, director, and producer who is best known for his role as Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Frakes has also directed several Star Trek episodes and two Star Trek movies, Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Insurrection. In the interview, Frakes revealed that he had been in talks with the studio about directing another Star Trek movie.

The current state of the Star Trek franchise

The Star Trek franchise is currently in a state of flux. While there are several Star Trek series on Paramount Plus, there has been no word on a new Star Trek movie. In addition, there have been reports of creative differences between ViacomCBS and the creators of the Star Trek series. Some fans have expressed concern that the franchise is losing its way.

Why Paramount Plus doesn't make Star Trek movies

According to Frakes, the main reason why Paramount Plus doesn't make Star Trek movies is that they are expensive to produce. He explained that the budget for a Star Trek movie would be in the range of $200 million, which is a significant investment for the studio. In addition, Frakes noted that the competition in the movie industry is fierce, and it can be challenging to make a movie that will stand out from the crowd.

The success of Star Trek on television

While there have been no recent Star Trek movies, the franchise has been thriving on television. Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard have both been

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successful on Paramount Plus, and a new series, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, is currently in production. Frakes pointed out that the television format allows for more in-depth storytelling and character development, which is essential to the Star Trek franchise. He also noted that the television series have a loyal fan base, and they are more accessible to viewers than movies, which have a shorter theatrical run.

The audience for Star Trek movies

Another reason why Paramount Plus doesn't make Star Trek movies is that the audience for movies is different from the audience for television series. Frakes explained that the Star Trek movies have traditionally been targeted at a broader audience than the television series. The movies are expected to appeal to casual moviegoers as well as die-hard Star Trek fans. In contrast, the television series can be more niche and appeal primarily to fans of the franchise.

The cost of producing Star Trek movies

The cost of producing a Star Trek movie is also a significant factor. Frakes noted that the budget for a Star Trek movie would be in the range of $200 million, which is a significant investment for the studio. This budget includes not only the production costs but also marketing and distribution costs. The studio would need to recoup this investment through box office receipts, which can be challenging, given the current state of the movie industry.

The competition in the movie industry

Frakes also pointed out that the competition in the movie industry is fierce. There are many big-budget movies released every year, and it can be challenging to make a movie that will stand out from the crowd. In addition, the movie industry is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and many studios are cautious about investing in big-budget movies.

The potential for Star Trek movies in the future

Despite the challenges, Frakes believes that there is still potential for Star Trek movies in the future. He noted that the franchise has a devoted fan base and that there is still a lot of interest in the Star Trek universe. However, he acknowledged that the studio would need to be cautious about investing in a new Star Trek movie and that it would need to be a significant event to justify the expense.

Other ways to expand the Star Trek franchise

In addition to movies, there are other ways that the Star Trek franchise could expand. Frakes noted that the franchise could explore new formats, such as short films or animated series. He also suggested that the franchise could expand into other mediums, such as comics or novels. Finally, Frakes noted that the franchise could explore new themes and stories that would appeal to a broader audience.

The impact of streaming services on the entertainment industry

The rise of streaming services like Paramount Plus has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry. Frakes noted that streaming services have allowed for more niche content to find an audience and that they have given creators more freedom to explore new ideas. However, he also acknowledged that streaming services have disrupted the traditional model of movie distribution and that it can be challenging to make a profit in the streaming era.

The future of Star Trek

In conclusion, Jonathan Frakes has explained why Paramount Plus doesn't make Star Trek movies. He noted that the cost of producing movies, the competition in the movie industry, and the challenges of reaching a broader audience are all significant factors. However, Frakes believes that there is still potential for the franchise, and he is optimistic about the future. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the Star Trek franchise adapts and grows.