Star Trek‘s Jonathan Frakes recently gave an interview with SFX Magazine where he expressed doubts about the franchise getting more theatrical releases. Although there are many cast members of Star Trek to have taken on other roles, both in front of and behind, the camera, none have been as prolific with the franchise as Jonathan Frakes. As William T. Riker he has appeared in nearly every series since his debut in Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as four theatrical releases for that series. According to IMDB has nearly 100 credits for acting and 46 for directing, some of which include the Star Trek series: TNG, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Discovery, and Picard, and two movies (Star Trek: First Contact and Insurrection).
In the interview, he explains that while multiple directors have been attached to the still-not-in-production fourth film of the currently running batch that J.J. Abrams rebooted in 2009, none seem able to move forward with a theatrical release. He adds that TV is the most plausible direction for future projects.
From SFX Magazine (via /Film)
“Movies are tough! Even JJ [Abrams] can’t get this fourth movie off the ground. All those wonderful rumors? Noah Hawley was attached to a ‘Star Trek’ movie, and Quentin was toying with people’s emotions about doing a movie. If those two names can’t get a f***** movie made, I don’t know. TV is the future, it seems to me.”
The third and final season of Star Trek: Picard will debut on February 16 on Paramount+ with many former castmates from Star Trek: TNG reprising their former roles. Despite doubts about more theatrical releases he does express optimism that, following the events of this series, the doors are wide open for other future projects involving those characters.
“I hope the road leads to another series. The setup is there clearly, as you’ll see, by the end of the season. It all seems to me that the characters in this final season of ‘Picard,’ should it work out, are primed for another journey. I’m certainly optimistic. I think it may be the end of the ‘Picard’ story, but I’m not sure it’s the end of the ‘Next Generation’ story. That’s the vibe. I’m an eternal optimist. I’m sure it’s what [showrunner] Terry [Matalas] would like!”