The directors developing the next Star Trek film have revealed that the project draws inspiration from Denzel Washington films Training Day and Crimson Tide, offering the clearest picture yet of what to expect from the long-awaited theatrical instalment. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley told Inverse the movie will examine "bad apples" within Starfleet, taking a more grounded, real-time look at flaws within long-standing institutions rather than presenting the idealised future often depicted in the franchise. The film matters because it is currently the only Star Trek movie in active development, and with no new television series announced beyond the concluding seasons of Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy, its success could determine the franchise's near-term future at Paramount.

Daley compared the Training Day influence to an exploration of institutional corruption, while Crimson Tide informs the thriller-style tension, though he stressed the tone won't be cynical or nihilistic. The pair confirmed the film will feature entirely new characters rather than relying on established fan favourites, aiming instead to launch a fresh franchise while remaining accessible to newcomers. Goldstein and Daley previously co-directed Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (starring former Star Trek actor Chris Pine), Game Night, and Mayday, all of which received positive reviews, lending some confidence to the project despite it still being in development with no confirmed release date.