Archer's Next Mission Revealed: What Would've Been in 'Star Trek: United' Spinoff

"Star Trek: United" Spinoff Pitch Revealed: A Glimpse into the Potential Archer Series A proposed spinoff series, "Star Trek: United," which would have followed Captain Jonathan Archer's journey after the events of "Star Trek: Enterprise," has been revealed by producer Michael Sussman. The show, which was pitched to Paramount with Scott Bakula's involvement, had a unique setup that built upon the brief revelation in the season four Mirror Universe two-parter "In a Mirror, Darkly" that Archer would become one of the first presidents of the nascent United Federation of Planets. According to Sussman, who spoke to TrekMovies All Access Star Trek podcast recently, the series was designed to be tonally akin to the "Star Wars" political thriller tension of "Andor." The show's concept had been pitched as a way to explore the early days of the Federation and Archer's role in shaping its future. However, the project was ultimately turned down due to a broader cutback in streaming funding ahead of Paramount's recent sale to Skydance. Sussman revealed that one of the main reasons for rejecting the pitch was the perceived similarities between "United" and the upcoming "Starfleet Academy" show, which will also be primarily set on Earth. Despite this setback, Sussman remains optimistic about the potential for a future iteration of the series. "We had a very unique take on the Star Trek universe, and I think it would have been a great addition to the franchise," Sussman said in an interview with TrekMovies All Access. "We were trying to create something that was both a character-driven story and a larger-than-life epic, which is not always easy to balance." The concept of "United" built upon the events of "Enterprise," which ended with Archer's crew returning to Earth after their mission to explore the galaxy. The spinoff would have followed Archer as he became embroiled in the politics of the early Federation, navigating the complexities of building a new government and forging alliances with other planets. While the project may not be moving forward at this time, fans of "Star Trek" remain hopeful that one day "United" will become a reality. As Sussman noted, the franchise has a long history of reviving and reimagining concepts, so it's possible that "United" could still find its way onto screens in the future. In related news, Paramount's sale to Skydance has led to a renewed focus on streaming content, with several new projects in development. While "Star Trek: United" may not be part of this initial wave, fans can remain optimistic about the potential for more "Trek" series and movies in the years to come. Background: The concept of "United" was first revealed over the summer when it was reported that Scott Bakula had worked with Sussman on a pitch for the new series. Since then, details have slowly emerged about the show's setup and tone. Industry Insights: The rejection of "United" highlights the challenges faced by streaming services in developing content that resonates with audiences. With the rise of subscription-based platforms, studios are under pressure to produce high-quality shows that can compete for viewers' attention. Cultural Impact: A "Star Trek: United" series would have offered a unique perspective on the franchise's history and politics, exploring themes of leadership, diplomacy, and cooperation in the face of adversity. The show's focus on character development and world-building would have made it an attractive addition to the "Trek" canon. Audience Appeal: Fans of "Star Trek: Enterprise" and the larger franchise are likely to be intrigued by the concept of "United," which offers a fresh take on familiar characters and settings. The show's blend of action, politics, and character-driven storytelling would have appealed to both casual viewers and die-hard fans. Current Status: While "United" is not currently in development, Sussman remains hopeful that the project will one day come to fruition. With the rise of streaming services and the continued popularity of the "Star Trek" franchise, it's possible that we'll see a revival of this concept in the future. *Reporting by Gizmodo.*