The Star Trek: The Next Generation crew may have been put out to pasture following the disappointing box office reception of Star Trek Nemesis, but at least one of the team may be aboard for the next big screen adventure.

Franchise head honcho Rick Berman told the Sci-Fi Wire at the Television Critics Association press tour that he's in discussions with Jonathan Frakes (William T. Riker) regarding his involvement in Trek XI. "He's in Japan, and he's coming here [because] his film [Thunderbirds] is premiering Saturday here in Los Angeles. There are very, very early conversations going on about a film project. But they're so early that it's really kind of silly to talk about it now."

Frakes helmed 1996's Star Trek: First Contact, the highest-grossing Next Generation film, and 1998's Star Trek: Insurrection. Since the end of TNG's run, Frakes has concentrated on his directing and producing projects, including the TV series Roswell and the feature films Clockstoppers and Thunderbirds.

Berman said the next film, which is reportedly being developed with Brannon Braga, Kerry McCluggage and Jordan Kerner, would feature an "entirely new cast of characters". "The movie that we're having very early discussions about would have nothing to do with any of the characters that have ever existed on any of the Star Trek series," Berman said.

The producer added that the prequel movie "would take place prior to any of the series, including Enterprise." This seems to contradict Brannon Braga's comments in the Star Trek Communicator, in which he said the next film would deal with the Romulan Wars (story).

The original news can be found at the Sci-Fi Wire.

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