Andy Weir Backtracks on Modern Star Trek Remarks, Apologizes to Alex Kurtzman

Well, here’s a little sci-fi drama – and no, it’s not another Star Trek spinoff. Andy Weir, the guy behind Project Hail Mary and The Martian, just found himself in the middle of a fandom fracas after some choice words about the current state of Star Trek and one of its top execs, Alex Kurtzman.

Andy Weir vs. (Modern) Star Trek

So here’s how it all kicked off: Weir was on The Critical Drinker podcast, which, let’s just say, is an opinionated corner of the internet. He mentioned that he’d once pitched a Star Trek series to Paramount and basically got turned down. That’s not all that unusual – writers get those all the time. But then he started lobbing grenades: he called Alex Kurtzman, Star Trek’s main showrunner these days, 'a nice guy', but then said a lot of the newer Trek shows are 'sh*t.' (His words, not mine.)

For the record, Weir did say he liked Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks. Still, calling most of “new Trek” garbage? Not exactly a crowd-pleaser, especially considering the franchise’s divided, but rabid, fanbase.

That Escalated Quickly

Unsurprisingly, the backlash was immediate. And, fun twist: this all hit just after Star Trek: Starfleet Academy got the axe, so the debate about the franchise’s direction was already at a simmer (at best).

• Crime novelist Don Winslow publicly called out Weir on X (Twitter). Winslow basically said, 'Congrats on your success, but don’t use your platform to trash other writers. And by the way, Kurtzman’s a visionary; you owe him an apology – writer to writer.' Ouch.

This isn’t even the only recent time a sci-fi or comic creator caught heat for an off-the-cuff diss. DC’s Grant Morrison also ended up apologizing after dunking on Damon Lindelof’s comments about Green Lantern being 'silly'. (Hollywood: full of sensitive writers!)

The Apology Tour Stops at Starfleet Headquarters

So how did Andy Weir respond? He posted a full, direct apology to Kurtzman on his official Facebook. Here’s the key bit, visualized because it’s very, very Weir:

'Hey Alex. Andy Weir here. I’m posting to apologize about stuff I said on the Critical Drinker’s podcast. I feel like my quotes were taken out of context as salacious sound bytes. I hope you saw the other parts where I said how much I like you as a person and what a nice guy you are. Also how I like SNW and LD.

I was trying to be funny, but in retrospect it comes off as disrespectful and mean. So I’m sorry for that. I was also trying to be self-deprecating when I said, "But they didn’t like my pitch so f*ck '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. Anyway, if you want to talk about it in real time – even if it’s just to rip me a new one – I’m happy to hop on the phone or Zoom.'

That’s one of those 'I know I messed up, let’s clear the air' kinds of apologies. He admits to trying (and failing) to be funny, being too blunt, and forgetting that headlines hit differently when you’re suddenly back in the spotlight.

What Happens Next?

No word yet on whether Alex Kurtzman is taking Weir up on the phone (or Zoom) offer, or if we’ll see a diplomatic response, but let’s be honest – the world of TV showrunners and sci-fi writers isn’t famous for letting these things slide completely under the rug.

The timing is extra awkward, since Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary is officially a hit, both financially and with critics, which puts his every word under the microscope. Sometimes, a little self-deprecation goes sideways on a very public podcast, and it turns into this – a kind of apology chain reaction across genres.

So, just a reminder: hot takes on beloved franchises might get you a few laughs, but they can also buy you a public apology to a big-time showrunner. Welcome to modern Hollywood.