Right now, author Andy Weir should be enjoying the accolades of sci-fi fans. Project Hail Mary, based on his novel, is already one of the biggest box-office hits of 2026 and is even getting awards buzz. That’s led to more interest in Weir’s works, such as The Martian (which was a 2015 film starring Matt Damon) and Artemis, a 2017 book that may still find its way to the screen.
However, Weir is now under fire for some shots he took at the most famous sci-fi franchise around, Star Trek. It’s been a crazy ride, so here’s how it’s falling out now!
The whole mess started when Weir was on The Critical Drinker podcast, talking to host Will Jordan about sci-fi and the state of modern Star Trek. Jordan declared the best move for Paramount would be to “de-canonize” everything in Star Trek since the Enterprise series, which ended in 2005. Weir didn’t agree to go that far but had sharp words, especially in light of the surprise cancelation of Starfleet Academy.
“I’ll give you my opinion and I’m just a consumer. I like Strange New Worlds. I think it’s pretty good. I didn’t hate Enterprise. I thought it was kind of weird. Lower Decks I thought was entertaining and fun. All the others, they can go," Weir said. "And here’s another thing: 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. He, as a person, is a really nice guy. But at the same time, those shows are s—. He is a nice guy. But they didn’t accept my pitch so, you know, f— ’em.”
Just like throwing food at Tribbles, Weir’s comments were feasted upon by Trek fans and torn apart just as much. There have been some who agree with Weir, as a segment of Trek fans have felt that producer Alex Kurtzman has mismanaged the franchise. However, others have slammed Weir as going too far, attacking Trek just because they wouldn’t listen to his pitch.
Among the detractors was author Don Winslow, who derided Weir for trying to disparage another creator.
.@andyweirauthor Congrats on the success of Project Hail Mary+The Martian. I'm a real fan.
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) March 30, 2026
But when you have your moment don't use it to crap on other writers work. For the record, @Alex_Kurtzman is a visionary writer+creator+producer&you owe him an apology...writer to writer.
“Congrats on the success of Project Hail Mary and The Martian. I’m a real fan," Winslow wrote on X. "But when you have your moment, don’t use it to crap on other writers’ work. For the record, Alex Kurtzman is a visionary writer and creator and producer and you owe him an apology…writer to writer."
Winslow added in a reply, "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.”
Well, it sounds like Weir was listening, as the drama just took another turn.
Is Andy Weir settling his Star Trek feud?
The massive fan outcry and debate appeared to sink in for Weir, as he issued a formal letter of apology to Kurtzman on his Facebook page on March 30, claiming his quotes were “taken out of context as salacious sound bytes.”
“I was trying to be funny, but in retrospect, it comes off as disrespectful and mean. So I'm sorry for that," he wrote. "I was also trying to be self-deprecating when I said 'But they didn't like my pitch so f— em!' but out of context it can read like I actually meant it. I'm a blunt person - always have been. And it's been 10 years since the media cared what I had to say about anything so I kind of forgot to watch my words when I have a film in theaters. In a couple months I'll be back in my cave writing novels and no one will care again.”
Weir wrapped it up by offering Kurtzman a chance to speak to him about all this “even if it’s just to rip me a new one.” Kurtzman himself hasn’t commented on this whole thing, and hopefully it’s settled. Of course, many fans may be eager to watch Kurtzman and Weir debate things further.
One bright side to this whole mess is that it’s just possible that Kurtzman decides to listen to Weir’s Trek pitch after all. Surely, a man who’s clearly good at sci-fi might have some suggestions for modern Trek. While the feud seems settled for now, it only shows how passionate Star Trek fans can become about this franchise.
Project Hail Mary is playing now in theaters. The various Star Trek shows are available to stream on Paramount+.