Alex Kurtzman On Franchise’s Future Beyond 2027

With Star Trek: Starfleet Academy nearing its January 15 Paramount+ premiere, Star Trek executive producer Alex Kurtzman breaks his silence and discusses the future of Star Trek on Paramount+’s TV franchise. Kurtzman is EP and co-showrunner of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy with Noga Landau, and Alex directs several episodes of the new series.

Prior to Star Trek: Starfleet Academy‘s world premiere in New York City, Alex Kurtzman gave an interview to The Ankler (reported by TrekMovie), where he discussed the future of Star Trek‘s TV division after Paramount Global’s sale to Skydance Media. Alex told The Ankler that “plans are being made” for more Star Trek content after 2027. When asked if he feels Starfleet Academy will be the last Star Trek show he launches, Kurtzman answered “No.”

Although Alex Kurtzman is waiting to meet new Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison after he finishes directing Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 2’s finale, Alex says he’s met with the new head of Paramount+ Originals, Jane Wiseman, and Chris Parnell, EVP of Paramount+ Originals, both of whom attended Star Trek: Starfleet Academy‘s NYC premiere.

“We’ve talked about it, but it requires more drilling down when it comes to schedule and what it’s all going to look like. I’ve had individual meetings with each of them extensively, and we’re planning a big one for after we wrap Starfleet season 2, where everyone will be together to talk about it. I have no connection to the feature side, so I don’t really know what they’re planning. But ideally, there’ll be some conversation about making sure everyone’s synchronized.

I’ve had such a wonderful time making Trek; it’s been more than I could ever have imagined and dreamed. All things being equal, if everybody wants to continue, terrific, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Alex Kurtzman also talked about how Chris Parnell is a very knowledgeable Star Trek and sci-fi fan. Parnell worked on Apple TV’s For All Mankind, which is executive produced by Star Trek legend Ronald D. Moore. Kurtzman talks about Parnell’s encouraging reaction to Starfleet Academy‘s pilot:

“I showed him the [Starfleet Academy] pilot, and that was scary because I know how much he knows about Star Trek. Fifteen minutes in, I heard Chris yell, “Yes!” From that point on, I was like, “I’ll take any note from this man.” They’ve been nothing but encouraging and wanting to talk about more. I haven’t gotten any indication that they’re not happy. So I’m hopeful.”

Alex Kurtzman and Secret Hideout have executive-produced Star Trek on Paramount+’s content since Star Trek: Discovery began in 2017, and his contract was renewed for 5 years in 2021. Under Kurtzman’s aegis, Star Trek on Paramount+ launched six Star Trek series and the first Star Trek movie made for streaming on Paramount+, Star Trek: Section 31.

As Skydance bought Paramount Global, Paramount+ greenlit the final two seasons of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which recently wrapped production, and ordered two seasons of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Both series will premiere new seasons in 2026 and 2027 as the future of Star Trek on Paramount+ is decided.

Check out photos from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy‘s world premiere below:

The future of Star Trek, both in the TV and movie divisions, has created speculation and unease as fans wait to hear Paramount Skydance’s plans for the final frontier. Alex Kurtzman’s hopes that he will continue making Star Trek are encouraging, given how Paramount+’s franchise has expanded Star Trek across different genres while bringing back numerous beloved legacy characters.

Alex Kurtzman pointed out that he has nothing to do with Star Trek theatrical films. Paramount Skydance scrapped the Chris Pine-led Star Trek 4 in favor of a brand-new movie developed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley that reportedly will have no connection to any prior Star Trek. Paramount Skydance also said they intend to take a more “holistic” approach to Star Trek and end the divide between TV and feature films.

In the meantime, Alex Kurtzman is building the future of Star Trek with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, introducing a brand new, youthful cast led by Academy Award-winner Holly Hunter, that Kurtzman hopes will attract a new audience that can keep Star Trek moving forward for years to come.