Paramount+ is about to unleash its latest Star Trek show, and the stakes are high. The future of the franchise hangs in the balance, as this new series, Starfleet Academy, sets out to redefine what it means to be a part of the Star Trek universe.
In a bold move, the creators have opted to focus on a younger cast, comprising 18-year-old students from different planets and species who are about to embark on their journey at Starfleet Academy. This approach has led to fans affectionately dubbing the series "CW Trek," a nod to The CW's penchant for youthful protagonists in teen dramas.
The show's setting allows for a fresh take on familiar elements, such as intergalactic diplomacy and holographic technology. As we find ourselves 900 years after the events of James T. Kirk, the Federation is no longer the monolithic entity it once was; instead, we see the emergence of new challenges and conflicts.
The cast is certainly one to watch, with a diverse range of actors bringing their A-game to roles that include Jay-Den Kraag, a Klingon cadet studying science; Sam, a holographic student who's excited to join the Academy; and Oscar-winning actresses Holly Hunter and Bella Shepard playing alien species from the Dar-Sha and Khionian cultures.
However, with the inclusion of well-known characters like Jett Reno, The Doctor, and Admiral Vance, there's bound to be some fanfare about who's missing and why. It seems that Mary Weisman, originally slated for a supporting role as Sylvia Tilly, is no longer part of the cast, leading fans to wonder if Paramount has made any decisions they'd rather keep under wraps.
The production design is undeniably impressive, with wide hallways and large windows in the Pinewood Studios setting. While it may not be as sleek as its Discovery counterpart, there's an undeniable charm to this more laid-back approach.
But what's most striking about Starfleet Academy is the substantial investment Paramount has made into bringing this show to life. With estimates ranging from $10 million to $20 million per episode, it seems that a considerable amount of money is being poured into this new series. But will the gamble pay off?
As we await the premiere on January 15, one question remains: will Starfleet Academy be enough to save the franchise and secure its place in our collective pop culture consciousness? With its ambitious setting, diverse cast, and substantial budget, this show has certainly got a lot riding on its shoulders.
In a bold move, the creators have opted to focus on a younger cast, comprising 18-year-old students from different planets and species who are about to embark on their journey at Starfleet Academy. This approach has led to fans affectionately dubbing the series "CW Trek," a nod to The CW's penchant for youthful protagonists in teen dramas.
The show's setting allows for a fresh take on familiar elements, such as intergalactic diplomacy and holographic technology. As we find ourselves 900 years after the events of James T. Kirk, the Federation is no longer the monolithic entity it once was; instead, we see the emergence of new challenges and conflicts.
The cast is certainly one to watch, with a diverse range of actors bringing their A-game to roles that include Jay-Den Kraag, a Klingon cadet studying science; Sam, a holographic student who's excited to join the Academy; and Oscar-winning actresses Holly Hunter and Bella Shepard playing alien species from the Dar-Sha and Khionian cultures.
However, with the inclusion of well-known characters like Jett Reno, The Doctor, and Admiral Vance, there's bound to be some fanfare about who's missing and why. It seems that Mary Weisman, originally slated for a supporting role as Sylvia Tilly, is no longer part of the cast, leading fans to wonder if Paramount has made any decisions they'd rather keep under wraps.
The production design is undeniably impressive, with wide hallways and large windows in the Pinewood Studios setting. While it may not be as sleek as its Discovery counterpart, there's an undeniable charm to this more laid-back approach.
But what's most striking about Starfleet Academy is the substantial investment Paramount has made into bringing this show to life. With estimates ranging from $10 million to $20 million per episode, it seems that a considerable amount of money is being poured into this new series. But will the gamble pay off?
As we await the premiere on January 15, one question remains: will Starfleet Academy be enough to save the franchise and secure its place in our collective pop culture consciousness? With its ambitious setting, diverse cast, and substantial budget, this show has certainly got a lot riding on its shoulders.
starfleet academy is like a whole new vibe, they're focusing on younger cast & it's actually kinda cool to see 18 yr olds from diff planets & species goin thru academy life 
the production design is fire btw 
pinewood studios is where it's at! but is that hefty budget gonna pay off? 
$10-20 million per ep is like, a lotta cash 
and we gotta wait till jan 15th to find out 
what do u think tho?
anywayzzz i guess only time will tell if starfleet academy is gonna save the franchise or not...i hope it's a huge success because we all deserve more star trek goodness in our lives 
But seriously, it's great that Paramount is investing so much into this show. I guess you could say they're trying to make up for the lackluster Discovery series 
. Either way, I'm here for the holodeck shenanigans and the opportunity to see some fresh faces in the Star Trek universe. Fingers crossed it doesn't suck too hard 
. And what about Mary Weisman? Did she really get dropped from the cast or was it a clever marketing ploy to generate buzz? I wouldn't put it past them 
I'm also hyped about the production design, Pinewood Studios looks so cool!
. But, I gotta ask, are they really going to make it work with such an ambitious setting and budget? $10-20 million per episode is a lotta cash! 
. And the production design is fire 
! However, with $10-20 million per episode, it's gonna be hard to recoup that investment if the show doesn't grab audiences by the throat 
paramount's pouring all that cash into this one show thinking it's gonna make up for star trek: discovery's lackluster ratings? please, they're just distracting us from how stale the franchise has become since enterprise days 
i mean come on, 18-year-old students in space? sounds like a bunch of overpriced teenage dramas to me 
Either way, it's a bit suspicious. The casting is solid tho, especially with Holly Hunter and Bella Shepard on board 
. They're taking some big risks by focusing on younger cast and shaking things up in the Federation setting... it's like they're trying to reboot the entire franchise 
. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of seeing new planets and alien species, but can they really pull off this fresh take without alienating fans of the old shows? It feels like Paramount is betting big on this series, which means there's gotta be some winners and losers...