I think that at least part of the reason why they were dragging their feet on making the film was because they were afraid of exactly that problem.
Since starting to examine all this at the time the lawsuit was announced I've been of the mind that this is one of the hidden variables that do partially account for, well, so many of the delays. The 'we don't have it perfect yet' factor can be just that... and also can be a measure of 'if we don't get it the best ever like we've said' fear. With any fandom nobody gets outta jail free with the myriad microscopic lenses trained on you & your film. And Internet keyboard crucification (<-made up word) when the hype doesn't meet each individual fan's expectations in the reality?
It's one thing to talk about making the Best Independent Fan Film Ever (TM), but it's another to actually do it. What if you promise deep characters...and deliver a Mary Sue perfect hero? What if you promise a film with the structure and meaning of WoK...and deliver an endless stream of pew-pew? What if you promise poetic lines that illuminate the heart of character and story...and deliver "waves upon the firmament"?

Waves upon the firmament.

Exactly
I don't think the ego on display could have handled the feedback if Axanar had been made.
Agree. I mean, seriously, We are fandom.(pick any fandom) We are are legion. Some of us do not forgive. Some of us do not forget. Expect us. --Apologies to Anonymous for borrowing your line.
This would be a heavy burden for most anyone. And whatever I may think about the hows, whys, whos of this case I do recognize that whatever else evolved in the defendant's agenda in a future whatever.... this production, for years now, is his dearest thing, his heart and soul, and I recognize he has given it everything; time, energy, vision. I will not ever find fault with him for this. (Now his choices in all that working to accomplish it on the other hand..... but that's already covered in other posts.)
But already the years of dissent, questions, downright complaints wanting answers about this production have not demonstrated a personality easy with this. Then to get it in the can and released? It surely, maybe even secretly in the corners of one's mind... could very well, even subconsciously, create rationalizations for delays; this isn't perfect yet. that actor isn't the one we need. we need a bigger this, a better that, this other thing isn't getting done, we need more of.... all in the search for the promised perfection that cannot be met that carries the price of scrutiny and backlash which isn't well tolerated. Delay.
It's human. It happens all the time on a smaller scale to most humans now and then. But this time it concerns a deeply personal momentous hoped for turning point into opening wide the world of the future.................................. And not only is it public... it's Internet public... for years now... and hype has been building for years now.... and So Has Backlash!
Sitting with the 'wanting' rather than the 'having' delays its attending butcher's bill.
delay/rationalization.... rationalization/delay.... blaming/delay..... repeat as emotionally needed.
What if that happens?
................it will be a neon sign demonstrating why novices shouldn't be trusted with a property without a long apprenticeship and why talent does matter.
...............
Best case scenario for that team is that the lawsuit ends Axanar (allowing it to be the best Star Trek film never made) and they keep the studio for a new project.
Agree. Victimization and martyrdom are indeed a type of major win without ever needing to face what would surely have had to be faced had it been completed. Even a well done completion.
Realistically, Axanar should be considered dead. Even is TPTB allowed it to be made, there is no way the movie could ever live up to expectations at this point.
Yes, I agree, the realization of the film can never live up to the years of hype 'for' the film. For the few, of course. But examining a completed (name any fandom) fandom production with microscopes and keyboards? Not even our own
The Wrath Of Khan or
The City On The Edge Of Forever completely escaped this hell.