Son of Star Trek Creator Is Convinced Paramount’s New Owners Will Actually Make the Franchise Better (Exclusive)

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Leaders from the world of Star Trek, including Rod Roddenberry, son of the show’s original creator Gene Roddenberry, have shared their thoughts on the recent changes at Paramount and what those changes might mean for the future of Star Trek. In August 2025, Paramount merged with Skydance Media, forming a new company called Paramount Skydance Corporation. Following the merger, David Ellison, the CEO of Skydance, became the chairman and CEO of the combined company.

While at the 2026 Saturn Awards celebrating the nomination of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds for Best Science Fiction Television Series, TopMob spoke with Star Trek producers Trevor Roth and Rod Roddenberry. They asked the producers about the recent changes at Paramount and what they thought those changes might mean for the future of Star Trek.

Roth says the people in charge of the Star Trek franchise are hoping the new leaders recognize how enjoyable it is, and that it can also be a platform for discussing meaningful topics.

The producer explained he hopes the new team at Paramount will share his vision. Roth says they currently do.

Paramount has had some recent changes in leadership, and I’m wondering how those changes might impact the future of ‘Star Trek’ and what we can expect to see from the franchise going forward.

Trevor Roth hopes the new people in charge of ‘Star Trek’ understand what makes it special: it’s not just fun, but also tackles important modern issues and respects the intelligence of its viewers. He feels optimistic that they share this understanding, based on what he’s seen so far.

Roddenberry, a producer on the popular series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and son of the original Star Trek creator, stated that those currently leading the franchise are optimistic about future improvements following the recent changes in leadership.

I really believe in progress, and sometimes that means making big, positive changes. I’m optimistic that things will improve under the new leadership.

The veteran producer of Star Trek explained that things were okay before Paramount and Skydance joined forces, but now there’s a renewed outlook. Roddenberry also believes Star Trek has a significant story to share and is optimistic that the new leadership at Paramount will understand its importance.

It’s not that the previous team did a poor job, but I believe a new approach is needed. Given the current social climate, I’m optimistic that the new leadership at Paramount will understand how important ‘Star Trek’s’ message is and will prioritize sharing its story with audiences. I’m hoping they’ll deliver something truly worthwhile.

Paramount is clearly committed to expanding the Star Trek universe, and the new leadership team views it as a key asset for the company.

David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, highlighted Star Trek as a key franchise now that Paramount includes Warner Bros. Discovery. He believes Star Trek is one of the strongest properties within the combined portfolio of Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and Skydance Media.

TopMob also wanted to know what Roth and Roddenberry took away from their work on the new series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Roth highlighted the need to really understand who they were making the show for and to ensure it felt relatable and human. He also stressed the importance of connecting with the audience in a genuine and understandable way.

TopMob mentioned the positive response to ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,’ especially with younger viewers. He’s wondering what the team learned from that show’s success, and how those lessons will influence the future direction of the ‘Star Trek’ franchise.

Trevor Roth believes the core message of Academy confirms something they already understood: the show needs to connect with viewers during important, formative periods of their lives. Whether they’re envisioning themselves as Starfleet cadets, captains, or anything in between, the show should address relatable, human experiences. Ultimately, the key takeaway is to always prioritize bringing humanity and genuine connection to the storytelling.

I was chatting with the folks at TopMob, and we were discussing just how well Star Trek is doing at the 2026 Saturn Awards. Seriously, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds racked up four nominations! They’re up for Best Science Fiction Television Series, and then Anson Mount and Rebecca Romijn both got nods for Best Supporting Actor and Actress, plus there’s a nomination for Best Guest Star too. It’s great to see the show getting so much recognition.

Roddenberry felt science fiction doesn’t always receive the recognition it deserves, which is why he valued the Saturn Awards as a fantastic event for the genre. He also explained that science fiction is important because it encourages imaginative thinking about the future, making it a vital part of storytelling.

The producer expressed strong pride in the Star Trek nominations, saying they offer a hopeful outlook for the future.

TopMob noted that ‘Star Trek’ is receiving a lot of nominations, especially from the Saturn Awards, and asked what it feels like to see that recognition.

Rod Roddenberry feels the Saturn Awards are important because science fiction often doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves. He believes the genre is incredibly creative, especially when exploring possibilities for the future, and ‘Star Trek’ is a prime example of that inspiration. He’s proud when ‘Star Trek’ is nominated and recognized, not just as science fiction, but as a source of hope – something he feels deserves celebration in any story, not just within the ‘Star Trek’ universe.

What Does the Future of Star Trek Look Like Under Paramount’s New Regime?

David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, has repeatedly emphasized how important Star Trek is to the company. This means fans can anticipate Star Trek continuing for many years, with strong support from Paramount.

Fans can look forward to new seasons of their favorite Star Trek shows soon! Season 2 of Starfleet Academy and Season 4 of Strange New Worlds are both in the works. Strange New Worlds is expected to return in 2026, while Starfleet Academy will likely premiere in 2027.

Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley are also working on a new feature film. Details are scarce, but the project was revealed in November 2025 and won’t be a continuation of the story from the recent Chris Pine movies.

Several Star Trek movies have been considered since the last one came out, but they never materialized. As a result, fans are cautiously optimistic about this new film. However, with Paramount’s confidence in the franchise, it has a good chance of succeeding and could launch a fresh wave of Star Trek stories in theaters.

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2026-03-10 01:06