Citing an unknown source, 1701 News claims that the new Star Trek show coming to CBS’ streaming platform, All Access, will take place in the parallel universe established in J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek, the so-called “Abramsverse.”
“There is apparently a contingent within CBS that views the prime universe closed for business,” said the unnamed source, “And there is something to that. The last hour of prime universe Star Trek was filmed 12 years ago. Meanwhile, there have been three films set in the new universe. The faction says it would be ludicrous to return to the shackles of the prime universe and confuse new viewers.”
And indeed, showrunner Bryan Fuller praised the Abramsverse in 2013, saying, “I think there’s something very exciting about the new J.J. Abramsverse.”
But this new rumor from inside CBS directly contradicts previous leaks. According to Devin Faraci of BMD, the new Star Trek show is set after the peace treaty between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire is signed, directly following the prime universe events of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. The post had as its subtitle “It definitely isn’t in the JJ reboot-verse.”
So who’s right, 1701 News or BMD? My money’s on Faraci. Not only does he claim multiple sources, but the leaks are detailed and plausible, especially considering the involvement of Star Trek VI director Nicholas Meyer. By contrast, the 1701 News source doesn’t seem to be inside the production at all, using words like “apparently” and suggesting only a “faction” is insisting on the Abramsverse. Sure, it’s plausible that executives inside CBS would prefer to set the show in the Abramsverse, but no evidence is offered for the show’s actual direction.
Right now the new Star Trek show is entirely mysterious, with just rumors and leaks to ponder. Hopefully we’ll get some real answers soon enough, as its 2017 CBS premiere draws closer.
