Star Trek: Prodigy
Star Trek: Prodigy | |
---|---|
File:Star Trek Prodigy logo.jpeg | |
Genre | Science fiction |
Created by |
|
Based on | Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry |
Directed by | Ben Hibon |
Voices of | |
Composer | Nami Melumad |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | Nickelodeon |
Related | |
Star Trek TV series |
Star Trek: Prodigy is an upcoming American animated television series created by Kevin and Dan Hageman for Nickelodeon. It is part of the Star Trek franchise, and will be launched in 2021 as part of executive producer Alex Kurtzman's expansion of the franchise. Prodigy follows a group of teenagers who use an abandoned starship to search for adventure.
Kate Mulgrew reprises her role as Kathryn Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager. Kurtzman first mentioned the series in January 2019, and it was confirmed a month later with the Hageman brothers set as creators and showrunners. Nickelodeon ordered two seasons of Prodigy that April. The series uses computer-generated animation, differing from previous Star Trek animation, and it is intended for younger audiences than previous series in the franchise. Ben Hibon was announced as director in August 2020.
Star Trek: Prodigy is set to premiere in 2021.
Premise
A group of "lawless" teenagers use an abandoned starship to search for adventure.[1]
Cast and characters
- Kate Mulgrew as Captain Kathryn Janeway[2]
Episodes
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | TBA | Ben Hibon[3] | Kevin and Dan Hageman[4] | 2021[5] |
Production
Development
In June 2018, after becoming sole showrunner of the series Star Trek: Discovery, Alex Kurtzman signed a five-year overall deal with CBS Television Studios to expand the Star Trek franchise beyond Discovery to several new series, miniseries, and animated series.[6] After the announcement of adult animated comedy Star Trek: Lower Decks, Kurtzman said in January 2019 that there would be at least one more animated series released as part of his expansion. This would be a "kids-focused" series that could potentially be released on a different network from the more adult-focused streaming service CBS All Access where the other Star Trek series under Kurtzman are released. Kurtzman said other animated series would be different from Lower Decks in both tone and visual style, with the latter potentially being achieved through the use of different technology.[7]
Kevin and Dan Hageman joined the series as writers by mid-February 2019, when Nickelodeon was in talks to air the series as its viewers match the series' younger target audience. The project was expected to be a "major tentpole series" for the network under its new president Brian Robbins.[4] A month later, Kurtzman confirmed the project and said negotiations with Nickelodeon were almost complete. He expected the series to be ready for release in 2021 or 2022.[8] Nickelodeon officially ordered the series in late April 2019, with the Hageman brothers confirmed to be writing and executive producing the series alongside Kurtzman, Secret Hideout's Heather Kadin, Rod Roddenberry (the son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry) and Trevor Roth of Roddenberry Entertainment, and CBS Television's animation executive Katie Krentz.[1] Kadin revealed in October 2019 that the series had received a two-season order from Nickelodeon due to the animation work required for the series, and said it would feature serialized elements. She explained that the Hagemans were hired due to their work on previous children's series that were not "playing down" to the audience and were still watchable for older viewers. Kadin felt the series would be something that older Star Trek fans could watch with their children to introduce them to the franchise since "it’s such a big franchise, [it can be hard] to get into as a kid".[9]
In an article on the Star Trek franchise in January 2020, The Wall Street Journal listed the series as Star Trek: Prodigy.[10] This title was officially confirmed in July, along with a 2021 release date. Ramsey Naito was overseeing the series for Nickelodeon as EVP of Animation Production and Development.[5] Ben Hibon was announced as director, co-executive producer, and creative lead for the series in August 2020. Naito described Hibon as "an incredible storyteller and a world builder with a distinct vision" for the series.[3]
Writing
The Hageman brothers announced the series' writers room in July 2019, which includes Julie and Shawna Benson, Diandra Pendleton-Thompson, Chad Quandt, Aaron Waltke, Lisa Shoop Boyd, Nikhil Jayaram, Erin McNamara, and Keith Sweet.[11] Star Trek author David Mack served as a consultant and adviser on the series.[12] Astrophysicist Erin Macdonald also served as a consultant on the series after being hired as a general science advisor for the Star Trek franchise.[13] Kurtzman stated in August 2020 that the writers were close to completing their work for the first two seasons of the series.[14]
Casting
During the 2020 New York Comic Con, Kate Mulgrew was announced to be reprising her role of Kathryn Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager. Further casting for the series was expected to be revealed in the following months.[2] Kurtzman said bringing Mulgrew back for the series was part of the Hagemans' initial pitch, and he felt their reasoning was compelling enough to meet his requirements that "legacy characters" like Janeway only be brought back for a very specific reason. The production had approached Mulgrew about starring in the series a year before the official announcement, and Kurtzman was surprised that her involvement had not leaked during that time.[15] Mulgrew had initially been reluctant to join the series, but after several months of negotiations she was convinced to reprise her role by the idea of introducing Star Trek to a new generation of fans.[16]
Recording
Mulgrew revealed in January 2021 that recording for the first season had been completed, and recording on the second season was about to begin.[17]
Animation
Kurtzman expected it would take around a year for the series' animation work to be completed.[8] In May 2019, Kurtzman said the series would be nothing like the first animated Star Trek series and was "something that has never been done before" in Star Trek,[18] adding a month later that it also would be a "really different show" from Lower Decks. He explained that unlike the previous animated Star Trek series, this one would feature computer-generated animation and was aiming for a more cinematic style that he compared to the series Love, Death & Robots in terms of "beauty and lighting and cinema".[19] Kadin further compared the style to the Hagemans' previous work on Ninjago and Trollhunters.[9]
Speaking in August 2020, Kurtzman said work on the series' animation was "barreling ahead, full steam ahead" in contrast to the live-action Star Trek series which had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]
Music
In August 2020, Kurtzman said Nami Melumad had been hired to compose the music for a new Star Trek series after impressing with her work on the Star Trek: Short Treks short "Q&A". He did not reveal which series she had been hired for, but Melumad indicated that it was Prodigy.[20] She was confirmed to be composing for the series in October.[21]
Marketing
The series' title and logo were officially announced at the virtual "Star Trek Universe" panel during the July 2020 Comic-Con@Home convention,[5] while Mulgrew's casting was announced at another virtual "Star Trek Universe" panel for New York Comic Con in October 2020.[2]
Release
Star Trek: Prodigy is set to premiere in 2021 on Nickelodeon.[5]
References
- ^ a b Thorne, Will (April 24, 2019). "Animated 'Star Trek' Series Greenlit at Nickelodeon". Variety. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
- ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 8, 2020). "'Star Trek: Voyager' Actress Kate Mulgrew To Reprise Iconic Role Of Captain Janeway On Nickelodeon's 'Star Trek: Prodigy'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
- ^ a b Petski, Denise (August 10, 2020). "'Star Trek: Prodigy': Ben Hibon To Direct & Co-Executive Produce Nickelodeon Animated Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (February 13, 2019). "'Star Trek': Nickelodeon Near Deal For Kids Animated Series From Alex Kurtzman, Hageman Brothers & CBS TV Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Nickelodeon and CBS Television Studios Announce Title of Original Animated Series, Star Trek: Prodigy" (Press release). Nickelodeon. July 23, 2020. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020 – via The Futon Critic.
{{cite press release}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; July 24, 2020 suggested (help) - ^ Otterson, Joe (June 19, 2018). "Alex Kurtzman Sets Five-Year CBS TV Studios Pact, Will Oversee Expanded 'Star Trek' Universe". Variety. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (January 8, 2019). "'Star Trek': Second Animated Series, More 'Short Treks' Coming to CBS All Access (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 8, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Pascale, Anthony (March 26, 2019). "Interview: Alex Kurtzman On Future Of 'Star Trek: Discovery,' Section 31, 'Lower Decks' And More". TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
- ^ a b Reilly, Ken (October 7, 2019). "Exclusive: Alex Kurtzman and Heather Kadin on that Nickelodeon Star Trek Show, If We'll See a Discovery Movie, Picard Season 2 (!), and Much More". TrekCore.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ Flint, Joe (January 22, 2020). "CBS Bets Big on 'Star Trek: Picard' to Boost Streaming Business". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- ^ Dan & Kevin Hageman [@brothershageman] (July 31, 2019). "Every ship needs a crew. Welcome aboard! We are proud to announce our very talented Writers' Room for @Nickelodeon's untitled @StarTrek animated show: @TheJulieBenson @shawnabenson @DiandraWrites @QuandtumTheory @GoodAaron @Shoopeedoobydoo @nsjayaram @E_Mac777 @TheKeithSweet" (Tweet). Retrieved December 22, 2019 – via Twitter.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Star Trek Author David Mack Is Consulting On 'Lower Decks' And Something "Classified"". TrekMovie.com. July 9, 2019. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ Shurley, Neil (March 31, 2020). "Interview: Star Trek's New Science Advisor Dr. Erin Macdonald On Putting The Sci In Sci-Fi". TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ a b "'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 4 Writing Already Underway, 'Strange New Worlds' To Shoot In 2021". TrekMovie.com. August 12, 2020. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley; Fienberg, Daniel (October 9, 2020). 'TV's Top 5': Inside the State of 'Star Trek' With Franchise Captain Alex Kurtzman. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
- ^ Lovett, Jamie (October 24, 2020). "Star Trek: Kate Mulgrew Reveals What Convinced Her to Return as Captain Janeway". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
- ^ "Kate Mulgrew Gives 'Star Trek: Prodigy' Progress Update". TrekMovie.com. January 24, 2021. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ Ordoña, Michael (May 9, 2019). "'Star Trek' was canceled 50 years ago. Now, the franchise is flying warp speed ahead". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
- ^ Wright, Matt (June 18, 2019). "Alex Kurtzman Gives Updates On CBS Star Trek TV Franchise". TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ Pascale, Anthony (August 26, 2020). "Alex Kurtzman Says 'Section 31' Series Writers Building A "Very Surprising" Star Trek Show". TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ "Nami Melumad to Score Nickelodeon's 'Star Trek: Prodigy'". Film Music Reporter. October 20, 2020. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
External links
- American computer-animated television series
- American children's animated space adventure television series
- American children's animated science fiction television series
- Animated television series about teenagers
- 2020s American animated television series
- 2020s American science fiction television series
- 2020s Nickelodeon original programming
- Nickelodeon original programming
- Nicktoons
- English-language television shows
- Star Trek animated series
- Television shows based on works by Gene Roddenberry
- Upcoming animated television series
- Television series by CBS Studios