Paramount Selected New Directors for Star Trek Film
The studio tapped Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley to helm a film set in a new era of the franchise.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Paramount chose directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley to lead an upcoming Star Trek motion picture. This project marks a departure from established continuity by featuring entirely new heroes and villains.
Why it matters
The studio intends to move away from existing characters to ensure the series feels fresh and to potentially recreate the historical impact of earlier franchise entries. By excluding legacy characters, Paramount seeks to establish a new cinematic era.
The last theatrical Star Trek film, Star Trek: Beyond, was released in 2016. Paramount previously achieved significant franchise milestones with releases such as 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture and 1982's The Wrath of Khan.
The players
Jonathan Goldstein
He is a professional director tapped by Paramount to helm the new Star Trek project.
John Francis Daley
He is a director selected to collaborate on the upcoming Star Trek film.
Paramount
It is the major film studio responsible for producing the Star Trek cinematic franchise.
The details
Directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley are crafting a pitch that incorporates tonal elements from films like Training Day and Crimson Tide. The production will explicitly avoid including characters from the original series, Star Trek: Discovery, or Star Trek: Picard.
Timeline
1979 marked the release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
1982 saw the theatrical debut of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
2016 was the year of the last theatrical Star Trek release, Star Trek: Beyond.
Industry Dynamics
Paramount is initiating a major strategic shift in its approach to the long-running Star Trek property. This move follows a historical pattern established by the 1982 release of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, which sought to redefine the franchise's trajectory through a distinct tonal shift.
Fans should prepare for a theatrical experience that operates outside of established Star Trek canon. Future updates regarding casting and release dates will determine how and when audiences can view this new iteration of the series.
The takeaway
The studio is prioritizing a clean slate to avoid franchise fatigue and explore new narrative territory. Viewers can expect a departure from the interconnected storylines that have defined recent years of the series.
Further reading
For more background on cinematic developments in the genre, visit the Science Fiction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBR.
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