Paramount Pictures is preparing to relaunch the Star Trek franchise with a completely fresh vision, led by the creative duo Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. Best known for directing Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and scripting Spider-Man: Homecoming, the pair have signed on to write, produce, and direct a new Standalone Star Trek film under their GoldDay banner.
This upcoming film marks a significant new chapter for the long-running sci-fi series. According to reports, it will not continue the J.J. Abrams reboot saga that starred Chris Pine, Zoe Saldaña, and Zachary Quinto, nor will it draw from any existing television or cinematic projects. Instead, Goldstein and Daley’s take aims to introduce an entirely original story within the Star Trek universe, featuring new characters and settings that will expand the franchise in an unexpected direction.
The decision to chart a new path aligns with Skydance founder David Ellison’s recent remarks about revitalizing Star Trek. Ellison, whose company took control of Paramount in August, emphasized the importance of reinventing cherished intellectual properties while introducing them to new audiences. For Paramount, Star Trek remains one of its most valuable and enduring titles, making this relaunch a top priority.
Goldstein and Daley’s reputation for balancing sharp humor with inventive storytelling makes them a fitting choice for the job. Their previous work has proven they can breathe new life into major franchises—whether through the grounded wit of Spider-Man: Homecoming or the adventurous charm of Honor Among Thieves, both praised for their engaging tone and playful energy. Their ability to deliver crowd-pleasing hits has not gone unnoticed by the studio, particularly after Dungeons & Dragons earned acclaim from critics and audiences alike, scoring in the 90s on major rating aggregates.
The filmmakers have maintained strong partnerships with both Paramount and Skydance in recent years. Their upcoming project Mayday, a Cold War action-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, was produced under the same GoldDay banner and has reportedly received exceptional feedback in early screenings. The film is set to release on Apple TV+ next year.
Since Star Trek Beyond debuted in 2016, attempts to produce a new film have repeatedly stalled. Projects involving filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, Noah Hawley, Matt Shakman, and Seth Grahame-Smith came close to realization but never fully materialized. Even recent developments—a proposed final chapter for the Pine-led crew scripted by Steve Yockey and an origin story directed by Toby Haynes—failed to move forward. The arrival of Goldstein and Daley finally appears to give the franchise a clear direction after years of false starts.
With two seasoned storytellers at the helm and studio momentum behind them, Paramount and Skydance are betting that this creative reset will reignite the spirit of exploration that defined Star Trek for generations. Though exact plot details remain locked away, one thing is certain: Goldstein and Daley are boldly taking the saga into uncharted space.
