Jonathan Goldstein accidentally mentioned Star Trek during a Dungeons & Dragons press junket last year, then quickly said “forget I said that.” Nobody forgot. Now Paramount has officially confirmed he and directing partner John Francis Daley are developing a new Star Trek movie.
Creative Team
John Francis Daley Jonathan Goldstein previously directed Spider-Man: Homecoming, Game Night, and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Their comedy-action expertise makes them unexpected but potentially brilliant choices for Star Trek’s lighter tone after recent darker entries.
The Hollywood Reporter exclusively revealed Paramount hired the duo in March 2025 to develop an original story unconnected to previous Trek timelines. This represents the studio’s fourth attempt at launching a new Star Trek film franchise after multiple false starts.
The Star Trek movie will be the 14th theatrical Trek film and the first since Star Trek Beyond (2016) underperformed with $343 million worldwide on a $190 million budget. That disappointment stalled Paramount’s plans for continuing the Kelvin Timeline with Chris Pine and the Enterprise crew.
Original Timeline
Daley and Goldstein’s Star Trek reportedly takes place in an entirely new timeline, featuring unknown characters rather than Kirk, Spock, or Picard. This bold approach allows creative freedom without comparisons to beloved previous iterations.
Paramount’s strategy mirrors Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy success – using lesser-known characters to tell accessible stories that don’t require 50 years of franchise knowledge. The new Trek will allegedly feature a completely different Starfleet ship and crew on an original mission.
The reported $150 million budget suggests Paramount is investing seriously despite previous disappointments. The studio believes Daley and Goldstein’s crowd-pleasing sensibility can deliver Star Trek’s first genuine box office hit since 2013’s Into Darkness earned $467 million.
Development History
Paramount has attempted numerous Star Trek movie projects since 2016. Quentin Tarantino developed an R-rated concept that never materialized. Noah Hawley wrote a script that sat in development hell. S.J. Clarkson was attached to direct before that project collapsed.
The franchise’s theatrical struggles contrast sharply with its streaming success. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Lower Decks, and Picard have thrived on Paramount+, generating millions of subscribers. But translating that enthusiasm to theatrical box office has proven elusive.
John Francis Daley told THR they’re approaching Star Trek “like we approached Dungeons & Dragons – respecting the mythology while making it accessible to newcomers.” Their D&D film earned $208 million worldwide and strong critical reviews despite limited superhero competition.
2027 Target
Paramount hasn’t set an official release date, but internal documents suggest targeting summer 2027. This allows sufficient pre-production time for the visual effects-heavy production. Casting announcements are expected in early 2026.
The Star Trek movie will compete in a crowded 2027 marketplace against Avatar 3, Star Wars: New Jedi Order, and multiple Marvel films. Paramount needs this to feel distinctive rather than just another sci-fi blockbuster.
Whether Daley and Goldstein can crack Trek’s theatrical code remains uncertain. But their proven ability to balance humor, action, and heart while respecting source material makes them perhaps the best shot Paramount has had in years.
The Star Trek franchise deserves a proper theatrical comeback. If these directors can deliver the mix of adventure, optimism, and wit that defines Trek at its best, this new timeline might finally be the one that succeeds where previous attempts failed.
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