New 'Star Trek' Series Heads to CBS' Streaming Service; 'Star Trek 4' Set for 2019

While the Star Wars franchise is just beginning to take off again, its immediate rival in the minds of geeks everywhere, Star Trek, is looking to expand. Following on the heels of two J.J. Abrams-led movies, Justin Lin is directing Star Trek Beyond for release next year. And what about after that? A fourth film is already being eyed and now a new TV series is on the way, but it comes with a slight caveat. 

Alex Kurtzman, a producer and writer on the Star Trek big screen franchise, is developing a new TV project for CBS. Sounds cool, right? Well, just hold on. The first episode of the series, which will feature all-new characters, will debut on the network in January 2017, but then it will be found exclusively on CBS All Access, their paid streaming service. Are you ready to plunk down $5.99 a month for that voyage? The search is on for a writer who can get this thing going at warp speed.

Meanwhile, a fourth Star Trek movie has been set for 2019, although Kurtzman will have nothing to do with that. Obviously it's too early to start talking about plots and talent, but it shows confidence in Star Trek Beyond to keep the franchise going at a high level even without Abrams at the helm. [THR]