New Star Trek Movie Aims for a Grittier Take on Starfleet with Denzel Washington Influences
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
The upcoming Star Trek movie reboot draws inspiration from Training Day and Crimson Tide to explore internal corruption within Starfleet using a brand-new cast.
After more than a decade away from the big screen, the Star Trek cinematic universe is finally plotting its return. Directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley recently revealed in an interview with Inverse that their upcoming feature film is heavily inspired by two classic Denzel Washington thrillers, Training Day and Crimson Tide. The creative duo wants to explore the cracks within Starfleet, moving away from purely idealized visions of the future to examine how institutional corruption and complex internal politics affect the crew.
Rather than relying purely on nostalgia and legacy characters to drive ticket sales, the writing team is building a story around an entirely new cast. They are aiming for a real-time pacing structure that brings high-stakes tension to the forefront, drawing direct parallels to the submarine warfare drama of Crimson Tide. For modern entertainment fans who appreciate tight pacing and morally gray storytelling, this approach could breathe fresh life into a franchise that has largely lived on television and streaming platforms in recent years.
Daley and Goldstein have a solid track record for translating beloved properties into entertaining cinematic experiences, having previously helmed Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and the sharp comedy Game Night. With current TV mainstays like Star Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy facing looming conclusions, this silver-screen reboot carries immense weight for the health of the broader franchise. If they pull it off, Paramount might finally have a viable new anchor for the sci-fi giant.
Tags: Star Trek, Movies, Sci-Fi, Streaming
Original article: Polygon