![2023: A banner year for Star Trek — here’s why [Op-Ed]](https://treknews.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/star-trek-2023-year-in-review-600x337.jpg)
![[REVIEW] STAR TREK: SHORT TREKS "Children of Mars": All Hands... Battlestations](https://treknews.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/review-star-trek-short-treks-children-of-mars.jpg)
Rod Roddenberry was recently named an executive producer of the upcoming Star Trek series on CBS All Access. He is also the son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and CEO of Roddenberry Entertainment. Recently, he sat down to discuss a myriad of topics — ranging from the ongoing Axanar lawsuit, his favorite fan series and of course, Star Trek’s return to television in 2017.
“I’ll tell you about the fan films in general.” Roddenberry said, when asked about the ongoing lawsuit between CBS/Paramount and Axanar Productions, by Matt Miller of TrekZone. “I, myself, am a huge supporter of fan film companies that are willing to follow the rules and do it right. CBS has been very gracious to — and I don’t know this from speaking to any of them — but it would seem that they have allowed certain fan groups to do things, as long as they do them correctly.” Roddenberry said.
“Ultimately, I’m a fan of the fans keeping Star Trek alive.” Roddenberry said. “The group that I’m really interested in right now is Star Trek Continues. Their writing, their costumes, their sets, their lightning — everything is spectacular. I’d say a lot of those episodes are as good and in some cases better than some of the original episodes.” he said of the celebrated fan series.
Executive Producer Rod Roddenberry Talks Star Trek On CBS All Access
Discussion shifted to the upcoming Star Trek series.
“I know very little about the direction. I’ve had two meeting with Bryan Fuller and he is still developing the concept and he’s brought the writers together and they’re still developing the concept. What I’m excited about is the team that’s been put together by CBS. They’ve brought, of course, Alex Kurtzman, Bryan Fuller and Heather Kadin together and I’ve had the opportunity to meet them.”
RELATED: Bryan Fuller Named Showrunner of New Star Trek Series
Roddenberry went on to praise those already attached to the series, saying:
“Bryan [Fuller] is, of course, a huge Star trek fan. So right there alone, I have confidence that he will do it justice,”
“Alex Kurtzman has the history with the movies and despite what anyone has to say, I thought the movies were incredibly well done and paid wonderful tribute to the whole Star Trek background.”
“Heather [Kadin], I just met for the first time. She, I believe, works with Alex [Kurtzman] and she’s got a long list of credits. So I believe the entire team is incredibly capable.”
“They understand the importance of Star Trek. They understand it’s the 50th anniversary. They’re not out to re-write history. They’re not out to change anything. They understand they need to do their best to keep people happy but also probably make it a little different.” Roddenberry said of crew.
After acknowledging that he doesn’t know much more about the show at this point, Roddenberry said he has “tremendous hopes” for the new series.
You can watch the entire interview in the video below.
The new Star Trek series is scheduled to launch on CBS All Access in early 2017.
Stay tuned to TrekNews.net for the latest news related to the new series. You can follow @TrekNewsnet on Twitter, TrekNews on Facebook, TrekNews on Instagram and TrekNewsnet on YouTube.
Dustin Allan Adamson
March 23, 2016 at 2:52 pm
I am actually really upset with Rod. We used to be friends and then one day he just drops me on Facebook and tells me “like my fan page instead” … He just suddenly became too good for us all.. Of course he still retained certain friends who he must have thought.. it would look bad if he cut ties with them.. but yeah.. Rod lost all the respect I had for him.. and I feel a certain level of sadness over the fact that Star Trek decided to put this guy.. a person who.. didn’t initially appreciate Star Trek.. a guy who.. acts the way he acts.. let me just leave it at that.. – Adamson
Ian Beard
March 23, 2016 at 5:30 pm
Not in britain shame again we wait
mrsatyre
March 23, 2016 at 5:35 pm
Don’t feel too bad. I have to wait six months to a year before I get to see new seasons/series of my favorite shows picked up on Amazon, Hulu or Netflix now that I no longer have cable or satellite TV services.
James Sunderland
March 24, 2016 at 3:19 am
Wow and Fuller is in on it. He was a writer for many Voyager episodes.
Lee Keels
March 24, 2016 at 5:29 am
It isn’t launching on All Access. The first episode will launch on the normal CBS network. Episodes 2 and on will only be on All Access.
MrRed
March 24, 2016 at 7:00 am
The first nuTrek movie (2009) was a good homage to the original series, but ultimately hollow in terms of story and making much sense, well below the standards of the series it was meant to evoke. Star Trek into Darkenss was a horrible mess, period. Star Trek Beyond (the upcoming one) has added a new character in reshoot scenes, so it doesn’t look too great either (I hope I’m wrong).
So if Rod Roddenberry thinks the nuTrek movies are a good version of Star Trek, heaven help us with this new TV series. He even acknowledges that fans don’t like Alex Kurtzmann’s work, but still backs him?
Roddenberry comes across as a stooge to placate fans.
MrRed
March 24, 2016 at 7:01 am
I really hope that this new TV Star Trek series is a return to the things that made Trek great!!
Morgan Smith
March 24, 2016 at 12:34 pm
I don’t see how you can take the addition of a presumably minor character in a reshoot as a sign of anything. Perhaps they needed to emphasize something differently, you just don’t know. Apparently Jusitn Lin puts a ton of effort in on same-day editing to make sure they have all the shots they need, maybe he saw something was missing. It’s not like they recast the villain or brought on a new director halfway through.
MrRed
March 24, 2016 at 4:36 pm
You’re right, the truth is I really don’t know. But I don’t trust the people in charge of that movie. NuTrek 2009 gave me hope that the rebooted movie series could go beyond its initial product placement for Nokia & beastly boys music & plot devices of unlikely convenience, but Into Darkness made it so, so much worse instead of better.
Star Trek has such a rich history of characters & thoughtfulness. I grew up loving TNG. It just pains me to see it treated so badly. As for Justin Lin, I hope he nails it & makes a great trek movie. I just get the vibe that the script is lacking, that they’re going for flash over substance again and trying to paper over the cracks.
MrRed
March 24, 2016 at 4:39 pm
I think that going back to the TV format is a definite step in the right direction for Star Trek. Hopefully we can get back to the prime universe for some well-written Trek!
Duncan Webb
March 24, 2016 at 10:48 am
So young Mr Roddenberry likes the foul abramsverse? His credibility concerning Star Trek is GONE.
Justin Kuenstle
March 29, 2016 at 3:44 am
Wow… Check out the hypotelorism on Rodenberry’s face. That guy could be a Star Trek alien all on his own. It’s like someone put his face on a head two sizes too big
Will Wright
November 25, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Been a supporter of both The Mission Log Podcast and STC since their beginnings.
As a matter of fact – to Celebrate Trek’s 50th – I’ve developed THis Trek Site, designed to highlight all the different releases of TOS on all the various home consumer video formats over the years. Hope You Enjoy.https://tosbldvhs.blogspot.com