Project Hail Mary author reveals rejected Star Trek show proposal

Author Andy Weir, best known for his work on “The Martian,” recently shared that his pitch for a new Star Trek series was turned down by Paramount. Despite his disappointment, he didn’t hold back in his criticism of the current Star Trek spin-offs, describing them as less than stellar.

During a podcast interview, Weir expressed his belief that modern sci-fi shows and movies have strayed from the influence of the original Star Trek series. He fondly recalled growing up watching the original series, mentioning that “Star Trek: The Next Generation” was a turning point for him as a sci-fi fan.

While some fans may agree that the newer Star Trek shows don’t quite measure up, Weir did find some merit in a few of them. He gave props to “Strange New Worlds” and “Lower Decks,” but wasn’t shy about sharing his overall disappointment with the franchise’s recent offerings.

Weir went on to reveal that he had pitched a Star Trek show idea to Paramount, but unfortunately, it didn’t get the green light. Despite his unsuccessful pitch, he had some positive words for the showrunners and executive producer Alex Kurtzman, acknowledging them as nice individuals even if he didn’t agree with their creative direction.

“Project Hail Mary,” based on Weir’s novel, has been a recent hit in Hollywood, with Ryan Gosling taking the lead. The film has gained success at the box office, surpassing other major releases this year.

Although Paramount has not yet responded to Weir’s comments, it’s clear that his love for sci-fi and passion for storytelling continue to shine through in his work. His unique perspective on the Star Trek franchise adds an interesting twist to the ongoing conversation about the evolution of sci-fi storytelling.