Paramount/Star Trek Shared Cinematic Universe

[aTOMiC]

Something recently occurred to me...

Shared cinematic universes are becoming commonplace these days and its understandable why that is the case. Fans of characters have always wondered what it would be like if their favorite hero interacted with another popular icon. The scenario generates excitement. It always has and it probably always will.

Though Star Trek has managed cross over events in the past, Paramount Pictures has never really fully embraced the idea, at least not yet.

We all remember Star Trek: Generations when Captain Picard and Captain Kirk shared the screen together. It was a thrilling concept but in practice it left something to be desired.
There was also a Deep Space Nine/Original Series crossover episode that merged characters from the classic "The Trouble With Tribbles" and the time traveling members of the Deep Space Nine crew. It was cute and somewhat cool but it wasn't awesome since the new characters weren't actually interacting with the older ones but were instead superimposed into existing footage.

But consider what it would be like if the new Star Trek universe established by J.J. Abrams provided a foundation for a new Paramount shared universe concept.

On the heels of the current three films imagine two or perhaps three new separate stories based on crews and star ships other than the Enterprise but with the potential of being just as entertaining and popular. A great example would be the Marvel approach with stand alone Thor and Captain America films that followed the first Iron Man film.

For the sake of argument imagine Star Trek: Constellation. The sets and cinematic approach would be similar to the established Abrams Enterprise films but would feature an all new crew and said crew would be portrayed by some of the most popular and talented actors available. Imagine an actor as sought after as say Wil Smith as the Constellation's captain and Star Trek: Intrepid staring someone like Jennifer Lawrence or Kate Beckinsale. The new films would have to be entertaining and awe inspiring galactic adventures in their own right that establish each crew as solidly as possible but be different enough from the Chris Pine Captain Kirk films that they stand out with their own personality and be successful in their own right.

Then after each film identity is developed and established with the best scripts, supporting actors and directors possible an event film is planned where all three crews form a fleet to defend the galaxy against an nearly unstoppable foe.

Its been done before with amazing results. Avengers was the proof that such an idea was not only possible it could exceed everyone's expectations.

The question is whether Star Trek itself has the potential to make such an idea viable. Truth be told the Star Trek movie series, as a whole, has not made a tremendous amount of money for the studio. A small number of the films may have lost money but even the successful episodes have never really brought in the kinds of profits that say Star Wars films have. And since Batman v Superman didn't earn respect simply by putting two iconic characters in the same film there is the fear that a shared concept might be a critical clunker if not handled properly.

I personally would love to see a Star Trek shared universe created however my feeling is that if it hasn't been considered yet it probably never will be.

[wayfriend]

I would like to see a movie where Tribbles save the universe. So: Like Return of the Jedi, but Tribbles instead of Ewoks.

[aTOMiC]

I would like to see a movie where Tribbles save the universe. So: Like Return of the Jedi, but Tribbles instead of Ewoks.

It would be only slightly less believable than Return of the Jedi's Ewoks so anyone walking around without a brain in their skull (or fans of the plot of Suicide Squad) will be overjoyed by a film featuring useless characters saving the universe in the most improbable way imaginable.

[High Lord Tolkien]

Axanar proved that this could be done.
A fan created movie that was on par with anything Paramount has put out.
The audience will be there for anything if the story is good.

[Sorus]

The audience will be there for anything if the story is good.

This. I consider myself a die-hard fan, even though I have been disappointed with nearly everything in the last 18 years. Or basically since DS9 ended, if you want to track it that way, since I actually don't want to think about the fact that it's been eighteen freaking years already. (Seriously, how did that happen?)

Anyway. So much potential. Will they find the right person to take advantage of that potential? What is RDM working on nowadays, anyway?

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

I would like to see a movie where Tribbles save the universe. So: Like Return of the Jedi, but Tribbles instead of Ewoks.

It would be only slightly less believable than Return of the Jedi's Ewoks so anyone walking around without a brain in their skull (or fans of the plot of Suicide Squad) will be overjoyed by a film featuring useless characters saving the universe in the most improbable way imaginable.

[aTOMiC]

Axanar proved that this could be done.
A fan created movie that was on par with anything Paramount has put out.
The audience will be there for anything if the story is good.

Indeed. Prelude to Axanar was an impressive piece of work.
The first time I watched it I understood why Paramount was against letting them go forward with the feature length film. They, Paramount, would have been competing with amateurs that were using Paramount's properties.
If a fan film turned out to be as good or better than a feature film why would anyone pay to watch?