Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

[Drunk Monk]

‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Series Officially Announced

| MARCH 30, 2023 | BY: TREKMOVIE.COM STAFF 776 COMMENTS SO FAR
Today Paramount+ made the long running rumors official, announcing a series order for the brand new Star Trek show: [i]Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.[/i] The series will “follow the adventures of a new class of Starfleet cadets as they come of age in one of the most legendary places in the galaxy.” The show is planned to go into production in 2024.
Starfleet Academy
Alex Kurtzman and executives at Paramount have made no secret about the development of an Academy show, which was first mentioned when Kurtzman was tasked to expand the Star Trek Universe beyond[i] Star Trek: Discovery[/i], which launched in 2017. Here is how the show is described in the official release.:

[i]Star Trek: Starfleet Academy[/i] will introduce us to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they will discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves, and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.

Paramount+ announcement image (NOTE: Not final title treatment)
Kurtzman will be co-showrunner alongside Noga Landau (creator of CW’s [i]Nancy Drew[/i] and writer on Syfy’s [i]The Magicians[/i]). Together they have made the following joint announcement:

“Admission is now open to Starfleet Academy! Explore the galaxy! Captain your destiny! For the first time in over a century, our campus will be re-opened to admit individuals a minimum of 16 Earth years (or species equivalent) who dream of exceeding their physical, mental and spiritual limits, who value friendship, camaraderie, honor and devotion to a cause greater than themselves. The coursework will be rigorous, the instructors among the brightest lights in their respective fields, and those accepted will live and study side-by-side with the most diverse population of students ever admitted. Today we encourage all who share our dreams, goals and values to join a new generation of visionary cadets as they take their first steps toward creating a bright future for us all. Apply today! Ex Astris, Scientia!”

Alongside Kurtzman and Landau, the Academy show will be executive produced by Gaia Violo (creator of the Prime Video thriller [i]Absentia[/i]), who also wrote the series premiere episode. Also executive producing are Aaron Baiers, Jenny Lumet, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, Frank Siracusa, and John Weber. [i]Star Trek: Starfleet Academy[/i] will be produced by CBS Studios in association with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment.
“We are excited to introduce ‘Star Trek’ fans to a whole new generation of Starfleet officers in training as they navigate the rigors of the Academy and the brink of adulthood in [i]Star Trek: Starfleet Academy[/i],” said Domenic DiMeglio, chief marketing officer and head of data at Paramount Streaming in a statement. “Introducing new characters and compelling storylines, this all-new original series will serve as a fantastic addition to the franchise and Paramount+, bringing new generations of viewers and long-term ‘Star Trek’ fans alike together to enjoy the next chapter in the iconic ‘Star Trek’ universe.”
“As we continue to explore more of the ‘Star Trek’ universe, we’re thrilled to bring [i]Star Trek: Starfleet Academy[/i] to fans around the world as the next chapter in this expanding franchise,” said David Stapf, president of CBS Studios. “Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau’s vision is a smart and thrilling take that celebrates the core principles of what ‘Star Trek’ has always stood for, but through the eyes of the next generation of Starfleet’s leaders.”
32nd century?
There are currently no firm details about the setting, characters, or cast for the new show. However, the description of the academy being reopened “for the first time in over a century,” fits with the show being set in the 32nd century. In [i]Discovery[/i] season 4, we found out that due to The Burn, Starfleet hadn’t had a proper academy in 125 years. Season 4 also featured a storyline with Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) leaving the USS Discovery for a position at the Academy. Wiseman is returning to [i]Discovery[/i] for the fifth and final season. It is not known if she or any of her other [i]Discovery[/i] stars will be involved in the new [i]Academy[/i] series.
Captain Burnham addresses the first new class of cadets in [i]Discovery[/i] season 4.
Production is said to start in 2024, so this show would likely debut in 2025. Earlier this week Paramount+ announced renewals for both [i]Strange New Worlds[/i] and [i]Lower Decks[/i], filling out the 2024 slate of Star Trek on the platform, joining the fifth and final season of [i]Discovery[/i] and the expected second half of the second season of [i]Prodigy[/i].
Writers’ room assembled
[i]Lower Decks[/i] star and comedian and writer Tawny Newsome took to Twitter to announce she’s part of the writers’ room for the show.

Excited to announce I’ve joined the writers room for this  https://t.co/qGcFOPS53a
— Tawny “My Name is Tawny” Newsome (@TrondyNewman) March 30, 2023

[thatguy]

I really want it to be a mashup with Police Academy.



--tg

[Drunk Monk]

That would be fun. Have you watched any Lower Decks yet?

[Greg]

How many times will they mention the Kobiyashi Maru Scenario?

[Drunk Monk]

More than the prime directive. 

Because it's ST 2023 and we're still longing for 1982...

Happy First Contact Day! I want my salmon...

Apr 5
Celebrate First Contact Day Like Zefram Cochrane WIth Pierogies, Rock and Roll Music, and More

First Contact Day. Image: Paramount.

APRIL 5, 2023 - Happy First Contact Day! On this day, humanity officially makes first contact with another sentient species and takes its first steps into the galactic community. That is, forty years from today, Zefram Cochrane will make his destined first warp flight which leads to Vulcans landing in Bozeman, Montana, and making First Contact with Earth, as seen in 1996’s Star Trek: First Contact.
Behind the scenes, co-writer Ronald D. Moore explained that April 5th was the date chosen for the film as it was also his son’s birth date.
Within the Star Trek Universe, we aren’t given many looks into how First Contact Day is celebrated, but some series have given us a few clues. In Lower Decks, Commander Ransom makes the comment, “carved up like a First Contact Day salmon,” which would imply that salmon is the centerpiece of a First Contact Day dinner similar to a turkey on Thanksgiving.
To complete the menu we turn to the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Homestead.” In the opening scene, Neelix is hosting a First Contact Day party for the crew and serving cheese pierogis, Zefram Cochrane’s favorite food.
From the film, we know Zefram Cochrane is a fan of classic rock as he plays Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride” during takeoff and later tries to get the Vulcans to dance along to “Ooby Dooby” by Roy Orbison.
You can also celebrate by nabbing yourself a copy of Star Trek: First Contact, now available for the first time in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.
But perhaps the best way to celebrate First Contact Day is to take part in the meaning of the holiday by reaching out and making contact with others. Engage with those in your life about this part of your life, Star Trek. Technically speaking this may be more like a second contact, but the spirit of first contact is there. Because in the end, First Contact is all about connection. The creator of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry, said it best. “In a very real sense, we are all aliens on a strange planet. We spend most of our lives trying to reach out and communicate. If during our lifetime we could reach out and really communicate with just two people, we are indeed very fortunate.”

[Drunk Monk]