Why not go animated?

[Shaka Zulu]

If it was up to Paramount, there probably would be a new animated series on the air right now, possibly on Paramount-friendly outlets like Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, or even Discovery Family (formerly the Hub), IMO. But as it stands, Paramount couldn't even do one if they wanted to--not only do they no longer have the rights to do one anymore, they don't even have a TV division anymore (that went to CBS Studios).

I think the real obstacle to a Trek animated series is an apparent lack of interest by CBS to do any kind of new Trek series. They may be totally happy with the way things currently are, even if some Trek fans aren't.

Paramount's TV division is back; it's making the Minority Report TV show, the School Of Rock TV show, the Narc TV show, the Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events TV show, Galaxy Quest, and a few others. It is a tragedy that it can't produce any Star Trek shows, live action or animated, but that's the breaks. Perhaps a Star Trek show could be made as a co-production between Bad Robot, K/O Paper Products, CBS Television Studios, and Paramount Television but that's just hopeful as wanting a reunion of the Beatles.

It can do that just fine without embracing the existing prime canon.

Agreed. And it's not going to happen, as it will be set in the universe of the new movie, so it seems.

If there is to be an animated series, I hope that it wouldn't slavishly copy the style of The Clone Wars, but be done in a style similar to this one.

 

[C.E. Evans]

If it was up to Paramount, there probably would be a new animated series on the air right now, possibly on Paramount-friendly outlets like Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, or even Discovery Family (formerly the Hub), IMO. But as it stands, Paramount couldn't even do one if they wanted to--not only do they no longer have the rights to do one anymore, they don't even have a TV division anymore (that went to CBS Studios).

I think the real obstacle to a Trek animated series is an apparent lack of interest by CBS to do any kind of new Trek series. They may be totally happy with the way things currently are, even if some Trek fans aren't.

Paramount's TV division is back; it's making the Minority Report TV show, the School Of Rock TV show, the Narc TV show, the Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events TV show, Galaxy Quest, and a few others.

It's not the same thing as before, however. The new Paramount Television is not a large TV studio as the original, but rather a small TV production/development company similar to Bad Robot. They're into co-productions with other studios and networks like FOX, Sony Television, HBO, etc., in which the other companies flip most of the bill. They're simply using the old Paramount Television name since it was no longer being used by CBS (they ditched it in 2009).

It is a tragedy that it can't produce any Star Trek shows, live action or animated, but that's the breaks.

Kind of hard to produce something that someone else owns and has other plans for.

 

[Shaka Zulu]

I'll see your Korra and Transformers and raise you a Young Justice, Green Lantern Corps, Aveners EMH, Wolverine & the X-Men, etc.

All good examples, since all of them except for Wolverine and the X-Men DESERVED to fail (and the latter I have no recollection of it ever being on TV; I'd just assumed it went straight to DVD). OTOH, Avengers is still running as far as I know, despite the fact that it too doesn't really deserve to. And still, ALL of the titles you just listed are available through streaming services like Netflix and Hulu where kids don't have to try and squeeze cartoon watching into their school/afterschool/weekend schedule.

All of those shows were great-what are you saying?

 

[T'Girl]

Because it worked so well last time.

Seven hundred plus episodes, so yes.

Until the end, when it didn't work anymore.

And you attribute that primarily to the show being set in the prime canon universe?

Interesting.

 

[Squiggy]

Seven hundred plus episodes, so yes.

Until the end, when it didn't work anymore.

And you attribute that primarily to the show being set in the prime canon universe?

Interesting.

You fail at Spocking.

It was primarily due to shitty writing due to it being in the prime universe and shoehorning canon-approved® reasons for things happening.

 

[Shaka Zulu]

I've been saying this for years. Go animated, and get Stewart, Frakes, Spiner, Dorn, etc. Show the missions between Generations and Nemesis (because I know they didn't just have 4 missions in 16 years)

Nobody at CBS Studios is interested in them anymore (and I don't think that the fans are, either.) I think that people would expect an animated show based on the new movies, and perhaps with the actors from the new movies voicing the main characters, and the CBS brass would only be too happy to give people what they want. Besides, there's always fan productions for people to relive the previous continuity.

 

[Tim Walker]

I was thinking that animation could not only depict species we have seen before, such as Gorn and Tholians, but also the Kinshaya.

 

[Blamo]

For the level of animation quality we'd want, it'd probably be more costly than it's worth. Especially when you factor in the marketing (who would the commercial.merchandise be directed at?)

 

[grazza]

Would like to follow DC's example with some of their animated films. Similarly make stand alone star trek movies. Could have all the captains together perhaps as some sort of temporal war or Q story line. Also things like the Romulan Wars, standalone excelsior story. Not something we need urgently at the moment but if there is a gap once the current generation of films end it could be good to try.

 

[Overgeeked]

I would love for there to be a Trek animated show. It would be cheaper to produce than live action and you could target kids and adults. Finally see real diversity on the main cast without having to stick an actor in a chair for hours of make up. And you could get older, familiar actors to play parts or revisit their old roles without worrying that they're too old to do live action. See the Doctor Who audio dramas. Just add animation.

 

[Tim Walker]

Speaking of Dr. Who, I already described the animated Dr. Who. shows.

What quality of animation would make for interesting Trek? Watch TAS.

 

[M-Red]

Quality CGI animation is actually pretty expensive, and the target marketing demographics change with animation.

TPTB won't just add animation to the kind of televised Trek the fanbase is accustomed to experiencing. By default, an animated Trek would be significantly more kid-accessible. Think Star Wars Rebels.

 

[Terok Nor]

I'd love a new animated series. There's no limit to what could be done in an animated Star Trek series nowadays.

 

[Overgeeked]

Speaking of Dr. Who, I already described the animated Dr. Who. shows.

What quality of animation would make for interesting Trek? Watch TAS.

The TAS animation was mediocre at best even for the time.

Quality CGI animation is actually pretty expensive, and the target marketing demographics change with animation.

TPTB won't just add animation to the kind of televised Trek the fanbase is accustomed to experiencing. By default, an animated Trek would be significantly more kid-accessible. Think Star Wars Rebels.

Um... the Simpsons, Ren and Stimpy, the Critic, Bevis and Butt-Head, South Park, Rocko's Modern Life, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Adult Swim, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Squidbillies, Family Guy, American Dad, King of the Hill, Moral Orel, Aeon Flux, Invasion America, Bob's Burgers, Rick and Morty, Futurama, Venture Brothers, Archer...

But sure, animations has to be for kids.

 

[OpenMaw]

Overgeeked, I think you are partially correct, however I would point out to you that most of those animated shows are in the realm of comedies. With the exception of Aeon Flux and Invasion America, all of them are more or less comedies. (BTW, excellent dropping of Invasion America... I love that series.)

I say that as someone who is totally in favor of another animated Trek series. I think animation is a great, untapped format for serious dramatic story telling.

 

[Tim Walker]

Titan A.E., and Dr. Who are examples of animation that would work for Trek. Really, one doesn't necessarily need the technically latest and greatest to tell a good story.

 

[Tim Walker]

Re: Why not go animated? - new series



Any Trek canon (feature film or TV series) is not low-risk. It is an established 50-year old brand that the powers that be want to succeed in a series running at least 3-5 seasons. (12-26 episodes each).
I would like to see a 3-D CGI-style animated series like SW:The Clone Wars but I don't think it will happen as you just get a lot less people buying/viewing an animated series than a live-action series period. I think Paramount/CBS Home Entertainment are just waiting until the right time.
2017 seems to be the right time after the 3rd feature film has it's run and people want more Trek. The feature film actors will have moved on.
see this other thread:
A New Modern Trek Animated Series

and
New Animated Series

Worth a review. It has been noted that Trek is a niche thing.

 

[M-Red]

Maybe a more kid-friendly animated Trek show is exactly what the franchise needs.

The fanbase needs to grow for the future. For a franchise that's a half-century old now....that's really essential at this point.

A kid-oriented animated series could be seen as investment in the future...for more live action series and films.