A new rumor details the plans The Orville creator Seth MacFarlane has if he and NBC end up acquiring the rights to Star Trek.
The rumor comes from 4Chan and was subsequently shared to Twitter by Angry Mr Flibble
I really don’t know what to make of the rumours about NBC acquiring Star Trek. It seems unlikely but sound better than what we’re getting now. pic.twitter.com/VX7XdiHmgB
— Angry Mr Flibble (@AngryMrFlibble) February 4, 2020
The rumor starts off by indicating that MacFarlane could have the rights to Star Trek by 2022.
It then details that MacFarlane would scrap all of the current and planned Star Trek shows except for Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Prodigy. No details have really emerged concerning Prodigy. The name was trademarked back in May 2019 according to Escapist Magazine.
That means Star Trek: Discovery, the planned Lower Decks animated series, the Discovery spin-off Section 31 starring Michelle Yeoh, and the rumored Pike and Starfleet Academy shows would all be axed.
MacFarlane also has wide-sweeping plans to reinvigorate Star Trek that includes a new film starring William Shatner and Jonathan Frakes. The rumor indicates he’s already in discussion with him.
4Chan Star Trek: Picard Leaks Turn Out To Be True
He also wants Michael Dorn to reprise his role as Worf and helm his own series.
It also points to having Star Trek: Enterprise actor Scott Bakula, who played Captain Jonathan Archer, return for a limited series.
As for MacFarlane’s flagship series it would feature a new crew and be set in the Enterprise era. MacFarlane would play the captain that would be “loosely based on himself.” The rumor indicates the series could be called Star Trek: Flagship. And MacFarlane would be willing to keep the show running until he retires.
This rumor seems a little far-fetched and looks more like a fan wish list. However, 4Chan rightfully predicted the events of the premiere episode of Star Trek: Picard before it aired.
Adding to my skepticism is that this rumor also comes after a previous rumor indicated that MacFarlane and NBC walked out of a Star Trek sales meeting because CBS’ price was “far, far in excess of what Seth was expecting.”
Rumor: The Orville’s Seth MacFarlane and NBC Walk Out of Star Trek Sales Meeting
MacFarlane also described The Orville in 2017 as the one project that inspired him to come to L.A. When asked if the project was a dream project, MacFarlane answered, “It’s safe to say of all of the projects that I’ve worked on since I’ve been out in Hollywood this is the one that I…Somebody asked me, ‘Why did you come to L.A.?’ this is really the project that brought me out here.”
He continued, “This is the one that is closest to my heart. It combines sci-fi and comedy, two genres which I have great affection for. And I have yet to work in the sci-fi genre. It’s kind of reinvigorated me as a writer. I don’t think I’ve had this much fun in years writing scripts.”
What do you make of this rumor? Do you believe it? What do you make of these alleged plans by MacFarlane?