David Foster Readying To Pitch New STAR TREK T.V. Series To CBS

By Matt Holmes / September 8, 2012

A new Star Trek t.v. series that can run whilst J.J. Abrams continues to build his newly revamped film franchise is something we have lobbied for extensively on this website over the years and we are just waiting for the moment to come when a smart writer/producer just hits the right buttons at CBS to convince them to pull the trigger on one. We've heard recently about an awesome sounding but ultimately unrealised series titled Star Trek: Federations that Bryan Singer was trying to make a few years back before Paramount decided to go in the direction of a film franchise but for us that doesn't mean a t.v. series can't exist at the same time. In the 80's and early 90's, the original Star Trek crew made big screen movies whilst The Next Generation aired it's seasons on the small screen and similarly when The Next Generation had their moment on the big screen.... Voyager, Deep Space Nine and Enterprise were on t.v. There's no reason this can't happen again and it's news stories like this that give us hope. Trek Web yesterday posted an excitable interview from Creation's 2011 Star Trek Las Vegas Convention with David Foster of 1947 Entertainment, who has been working since 2006 with co-originator Kevin Severson (who sadly died last September suddenly from a stroke) on a super secret Trek t.v. series pitch under the code name of S.E.T.I...

The series concept is fully developed, subject to change of course, with a solid 5-7 year series plan, pilot script and a conceptualized finale that intends to define Star Trek for generations, extensive character bios, costume and ship/set designs, and more. This is a drastic departure from the typical 8-10 page treatment of the previously pitched Star Trek series ideas that have not included even a pilot script.

Wow...they have clearly done their work! They have created essentially a Trek bible for what he wants his new series to be and effectively done all the work that television networks would have paid others millions to do on spec! Apparently Foster has the support of past Trekkie producers, concept artists, visual designers and writers who are encouraging him to keep plugging away at his Trek series blueprint and finally it now seems after years of planning, he is ready to find the right executive producer (they have turned down some already) to take his pitch to CBS officially. But I doubt the executive producer he turns to will be J.J. Abrams because he might be offended;

Though Kevin and I did thoroughly enjoy Star Trek (2009), the vision that we have created is true to the "pre-2009 screen canon" (TV and movies).

The series is set in the post-Voyager era, and is designed to return Star Trek to its original series roots in big and mighty ways, without disregarding the other series and movies. As Star Trek (2009) was an alternate timeline, it will not conflict with any canon there either. The co-creators are avid believers in Gene Roddenberry's 'positive view of the future' and intend to bring Star Trek back to its origins while moving forward with the timeline, integrating the best aspects of each of the previous series.

Obviously despite having no relation to the new films Abrams is still the man he should go to first because if he can convince him to put his name on it... the show will happen. Setting a Star Trek movie after the events of Voyager is a smart idea as it would stay true to the four decade canon from the 60's show to Enterprise and would be great for lifelong Trekkies and also won't have any conflicts with the new film franchise. This pitch certainly has our support! Here's some more details from Foster who is probably now trying to drum up some publicity interest before he pitches this thing to networks;

The series is highly energized with a much younger cast, and uses cutting-edge future technologies with newly envisioned special effects and designs. It includes Klingons, Ferengi, Andorians, Vulcans, Trill, and many more. The Klingons are getting very restless since the Praxis incident forced them to come to the peace tables, and are tired of having to rely on the Federation for support. The Ferengi have discovered a vast new resource that has propelled them towards instant riches and power beyond anything they have previously experienced. We were also careful with the Star Trek: Enterprise canon as well. Through the years, I have had the chance to get to know many of the original series cast, crew, and even some of the studio execs. I have developed an extremely deep passion for the original vision of Gene Roddenberry. And while Star Trek has moved on with other series that were not exactly in line with Gene's original vision, the roots are there to tap into.

As the 60's version of Star Trek is still my favourite depiction of the franchise, anything that tries to go back to those roots comes very welcome by me!

Here's the Teaser: If evil wore the face of a hero, would you recognize it? If freedom came in the likeness of your oppressors, would you accept it? If you were your own enemy, who would be victorious?

As to what might happen next with the pitch?

There remains a possibility of a pitch trailer for this proposal, though the costs and logistics of adequate sets and locations seem to have tabled this option for us thus far.

So clearly at this point we all agree a new Star Trek t.v. series is a must right? Check out our Top 10 Reasons of How A New Star Trek Series Could Work.