Over on Aint-it-Cool-News they've posted an article about a possible new Star Trek film, set in the mirror universe, and featuring Kirk, Picard and Archer, the three TV captains of the Enterprise (Well, if you exclude the guy from "The Cage", and the guy from "Yesterday's Enterprise", obviously). One of the reasons for doing this is that in the mirror universe there is no continuity, and no rules about what can and can't be done.
Apparently, this gives them free reign to produce a film with a worse premise than "Kirk fights God". If made, this film might well make Nemesis look good!
The thing is, Star Trek remains huge. It could very easily be revived, and done extremely well, but it can only be revived if it is done extremely carefully.
Here's how I think it should be done: Firstly, throw out any idea that features a prequel, or anything before the end of Nemesis, or anything gimmiky, like doing Starfleet Academy, the return of Kirk, or the Mirror Universe. Secondly, recognise that continuity is a Good Thing. It is one of the things that makes the Star Trek universe so vibrant, and to ignore it is to lose a lot of what makes Trek Trek.
Thirdly, hire the absolute best director and scriptwriters you can. Lock them in a room for a year, with carte blanche to do whatever it takes to make the best damn Star Trek story they possibly can. I have some ideas on this, but I'll comment on those later. I think my ideas are valid, but I don't think they are the only valid approach.
There is a question about whether to use the Next Generation crew, or any members of the DS9 or Voyager crews, or whether to have an all-new crew. I think using the Next Gen crew is valid, but I would be sorely tempted to have an all-new crew, perhaps given their marching orders by "Admiral Picard", if Patrick Stewart is up for a cameo.
Dial down the jokey elements. Don't throw in gimmicks. Make the best damn film you can. Anything else will destroy Trek, probably forever. If you can't make a film that kicks serious ass, don't make a film.
Now, what would I do?
I would probably create a 3-hour epic Star Trek story, featuring some new menace, or plague, or something striking the Federation. Alliances between the Federation, the Klingons, the Romulans, the Cardassians and others should be shown to shift and change, and the whole thing should be extremely tense, although with a strong action element. I would use an all-new crew, and not be hesitant in killing them off. That's the beauty of the new crew - you won't get death threats for killing Spock!
At the end of the film, the universe should be changed in some measured way. Perhaps the Cardassians join the Federation. Perhaps the Klingons are finally wiped out (fully and permanently). But the ending should be powerful, sad and yet hopeful. And you end with the commissioning of a new Enterprise, with a new (unseen) crew. Have the new captain read the "Space, the Final Frontier..." monologue, and fade to black.
And start the new series there. But, again, only do it if you can make it great. Take your time, apply whatever resources are needed, and make sure it kicks ass. If you make it, they will watch. If you make it suck, they will stop watching.
Or, give the think to Bryan Singer, and see what he comes up with.
