The writing appeared on the wall months ago, but now, inside sources are saying Paramount has withdrawn the tentative deal offered to Alex Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout, effectively ending the most controversial era in Star Trek history.
The Tachyon Pulse Podcast broke the news following a Thursday meeting between Paramount executives and Secret Hideout regarding the disastrous reception of Starfleet Academy. According to their sources, Paramount formally informed Secret Hideout the next day that “the offer that they were previously had on the table has now been withdrawn.”
The deal in question was never particularly generous. As Tachyon Pulse reported, it was “not exclusive to Star Trek. It was a first look or an exclusivity deal. That basically means that look, if they wanted to do Starfleet Academy series 3, they could within this deal. But if Paramount wanted to do Star Trek with other providers, they could.”
The source explained the deal’s limited scope: “He said he felt like it was more likely to be a first look deal because not an awful lot of actual like work had gone into it. So, he says the more valuable a deal, the more sort of paperwork and checks and blah blah blah have to go into it.”
This wasn’t a major production agreement, according to the insider. It was essentially a retainer to keep Secret Hideout available while Paramount maintained full control over the franchise’s future direction.
Fandom Pulse previously reported that Kurtzman and Secret Hideout had until December 15, 2025, to wrap production and vacate the studio. Those predictions proved accurate. The Star Trek sets have been dismantled and placed in storage, with both Strange New Worlds season 5 and Starfleet Academy season 1 scheduled to complete post-production by the end of July.
The timeline explains why production schedules accelerated dramatically in recent months. Paramount wanted all principal photography completed before the December deadline, rushing through filming to meet contractual obligations.
The Tachyon Pulse source indicated two possible scenarios for the withdrawn offer: either Paramount wanted to rework the terms following Starfleet Academy‘s poor reception, or they decided to cut ties entirely.
“There are two possibilities here,” the podcast explained. “They’re withdrawing the offer because they want to rework it and they’re going to suggest it back in a different format or with different provisions in there. For some reason, following Starfleet Academy, they want to change what that contract looks like.”
The alternative seemed more likely: “The other option is they’ve decided they’re not going to give Alex Kurtzman any contract at all and that they’re just going to separate themselves from Alex Kurtzman in total.”
The source leaned toward the latter: “I think if I was a betting man, I would bet that that’s why this has happened.”
Kurtzman’s tenure produced some of the franchise’s most divisive content. Discovery alienated longtime fans with radical departures from established canon. Picard drew criticism for its treatment of beloved characters. Section 31 became universally reviled despite an astronomical budget.
Now Starfleet Academy appears to be the final nail in the coffin. Tachyon Pulse reported that “rumblings around the studio are that Starfleet Academy is beyond the disaster that fans were expecting.”
The meeting that preceded the deal’s withdrawal focused specifically on Starfleet Academy‘s problems. “The way I took it, without knowing, you know, I didn’t know anybody in the room. I don’t know details about what was sort of said but the way I took it was that it was quite a negative thing that it was sort of like a look Starfleet Academy is not doing very well. Can you kind of explain it?”
Paramount’s decision to withdraw even a modest first-look deal suggests the studio has lost confidence in Kurtzman’s ability to deliver profitable Star Trek content. The intellectual property complications that previously motivated keeping Secret Hideout on retainer apparently no longer outweigh the risks.
As Fandom Pulse reported earlier, CBS insiders view everything Kurtzman produced as “non-canon” and set in an alternate universe. The studio plans to bring Star Trek production in-house, projecting costs at 25% of Secret Hideout’s budgets through improved efficiency and AI integration.
The Tachyon Pulse source acknowledged uncertainty about Paramount’s exact reasoning: “It does seem that though those are the two most likely scenarios. As I say, I think if I was a betting man that they’re probably on the side of no new deal.”
The timing aligns with broader changes at Paramount following the Skydance merger. New leadership appears committed to course-correcting Star Trek after years of declining viewership and fan backlash.
Fandom Pulse previously reported that the new Star Trek film from Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley will serve as the franchise’s new launching point. The film takes place in a post-Picard era and aims to establish a fresh universe for future television spinoffs.
Insiders also indicated that Star Trek: United, potentially bringing back Scott Bakula as President Jonathan Archer, remains in development as either a mini-series or film.
The withdrawal of Secret Hideout’s deal removes the last obstacle to Paramount’s complete franchise reboot. After years of false starts and fan disappointment under Kurtzman’s leadership, the studio has chosen a clean break.
What do you think about Paramount officially cutting ties with Alex Kurtzman?
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Yea, I don't think this can be fixed. I have zero interest in any thing Star Trek or Star Wars and I was a huge fan of both. But now, I'd rather read, play video games (pre 2016 - except for a few like Stellaris or Stellar Blade) or much do anything else, then watch the crap (Agit-Prop) on TV.
It looks like Alex Squirtzonmen is done. Bummer.