Andy Weir, the acclaimed author behind blockbuster science fiction novels like The Martian and Project Hail Mary, is a dedicated Star Trek enthusiast. So much so that he once pitched his own series concept to Paramount, despite his strong reservations about the current wave of Trek productions.
Speaking candidly on a recent podcast, Weir expressed his appreciation for certain newer Star Trek shows, while heavily criticizing others. He specifically noted his enjoyment of Strange New Worlds, finding it “pretty good.” He also had a somewhat ambivalent but not entirely negative view of Enterprise, calling it “a bit weird,” and found Lower Decks “entertaining and fun.” However, his opinion on “all the others” was unequivocal: “they can go away.”
Weir elaborated on his personal experience, revealing, “I pitched a Star Trek series to Paramount and was on Zoom with the showrunners of all the series and spent a lot of time talking with [executive producer Alex Kurtzman].” He openly stated, “I don’t like a lot of the new Trek.” While acknowledging Kurtzman as “a really nice guy” personally, Weir didn’t mince words about the shows themselves: “But at the same time, these shows are shit.” He then humorously added, “He’s a good guy. But they didn’t accept my pitch so, you know, fuck them.”
As for the franchise’s future on Paramount+, the immediate pipeline seems limited. While Strange New Worlds has two more seasons and Starfleet Academy has one season yet to air, there are currently no new Star Trek projects announced. This suggests the franchise might enter a period of hiatus after these scheduled releases.