Thescreescore – A heated debate has erupted within the literary and cinematic worlds following acclaimed science fiction author Andy Weir’s candid remarks regarding the contemporary Star Trek franchise. Weir’s outspoken criticism, particularly his celebratory tone over the cancellation of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, has drawn a sharp rebuke from fellow novelist Don Winslow, who publicly demanded an apology from Weir, citing professional ethics within the writing community.
Weir, the visionary mind behind cinematic blockbusters like The Martian and the critically lauded Project Hail Mary (currently enjoying box office success with Ryan Gosling in the lead and a stellar 95% on Rotten Tomatoes), recently appeared on the "Critical Drinker" podcast. During his segment, the Gen X author reminisced about his formative years, shaped by reruns of the original Star Trek series and Lost in Space, before Star Trek: The Next Generation ushered in a new era of space-faring narratives. However, his nostalgia for classic Trek quickly pivoted to a less favorable view of its modern iterations.
The author didn’t mince words when expressing his dissatisfaction with the newer Star Trek productions. While he acknowledged an appreciation for Strange New Worlds, found Enterprise "kind of weird," and deemed Lower Decks "entertaining and fun," Weir dismissed "all the others." His most controversial comments, however, stemmed from a personal anecdote: "I pitched a Star Trek show to Paramount, and I was in Zoom with the showrunners with all the shows and spent a lot of time talking to [executive producer Alex Kurtzman]… I don’t like a lot of the new Trek… But at the same time, those shows are sh*t. He is a nice guy. But they didn’t accept my pitch so, you know, f*** ‘em." This blunt assessment, delivered with a dismissive flourish, suggested a potential link between his creative rejection and his subsequent public disdain.
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Don Winslow, the celebrated crime novelist known for works like Crime 101, quickly intervened, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his strong disapproval. While acknowledging his admiration for Weir’s literary achievements, Winslow sternly cautioned against using one’s platform to "crap on other writers’ work." He passionately defended Alex Kurtzman, labeling him a "visionary writer+creator+producer," and asserted that Weir owed him an apology, emphasizing the unspoken code among writers. Winslow underscored the foundational principle of the Writers Guild: "Writers stand up for other writers. It’s how and why the Writers Guild was formed. And you don’t take your moment in the sun to attack another writer because they didn’t buy your pitch." Winslow’s pointed remarks heavily implied that Weir’s sudden, vehement criticism of the franchise was a direct consequence of his own unaccepted proposal, rather than a purely objective critique. The exchange highlights a simmering tension within the creative industry, where professional courtesy often clashes with individual artistic opinions.
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