When CinemaBlend asked Robert Picardo in 2025 whether Paramount's merger with Skydance would impact the franchise, he felt pretty certain that it wouldn't happen. Of course, no one could predict that months later, Paramount Skydance would also merge with Warner Bros. Discovery, which has once again thrown everything into flux. Now, amidst positive assurances that the show would be fine, Starfleet Academy has been canceled, and the actor has offered a sobering message about his hopes for the franchise going forward.
Picardo added his voice to other Star Trek actors' comments, like William Shatner, who bemoaned the cancellation not long ago. On Screen and Beyond interviewed Picardo, and he shared his thoughts on what he hopes will be ahead when it comes to Trek programming in the future:
