The Star Trek universe is poised to rival the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the latest CBS and Viacom merger in a move that echoes the recent Disney-Fox pact.
The CBS and Viacom team-up means that the small screen and big screen rights of the Star Trek franchise is now under the same company. Something that last happened 14 years ago before the end of Star Trek: Enterprise back in 2005.
From then on, Viacom’s Paramount Pictures held the movie rights as well as for future movies. On the other hand, television and licensing rights fell under CBS.
JJ Abram’s 2009 Star Trek reboot starring Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana marked the first movie independently made from a television series in the franchise. This meant that the actors weren’t portraying their roles on the small screen as well.
On the other hand, a 2017 Star Trek television series was produced by CBS. Star Trek: Discovery starred Jason Isaacs and Anthony Rapp.
The tv show’s success paved the way to an equally successful web series, Star Trek: Short Trek which led to an upcoming spin-off titles Star Trek: Picard, starring Patrick Stewart.
Another project that’s currently in development for the franchise is Star Trek: Section 31.
The merger will mean the franchise’s own extended universe might be in the works. Continuity between the shows and films is expected to bring the Star Trek back to it’s former glory from its golden era.
Quentin Tarantino’s possible involvement is something that could propel the concept into a good start.