Jonathan Frakes has contacted J.J. Abrams about directing Star Trek 3

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Paramount is on the hunt for the "right director" for STAR TREK 3, and there are some who want Star Trek: The Next Generation's actor/director Jonathan Frakes to helm the project. Fans have been tweeting they would love to see Frakes behind the camera for the film using the hashtag #BringInRiker, and during an interview with KOMO News, Frakes revealed he is interested in the job and has approached producer J.J. Abrams about directing STAR TREK 3.

"Hashtag, BringInRiker!" he yells to me from his cell phone. "I'm all over it. I'm all over it." Frakes says he's made first contact with Producer J.J. Abrams, and his agent has reached out to Paramount Pictures. "I would love that job…I say, unabashedly, I'd be great at it and would love to do it."

Jonathan Frakes goes on to say he knows he might not land the gig, but is still very excited about possibly directing STAR TREK 3.

I'm trying to keep the lid on how excited I am about the possibility, knowing it's such a long shot. But there's nothing I would like better.

Frakes directed STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT (arguably the best The Next Generation feature film), and the not amazing, but still decent STAR TREK: INSURRECTION, as well as episodes of TNG, Deep Space Nine and Voyager. Outside of Star Trek, Frakes also directed CLOCKSTOPPERS, THUNDERBIRDS, and a bunch of television series, including Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Falling Skies, Burn Notice, V, Leverage and Roswell.

While my inner nerd would love for this to happen, the movie buff in me doesn't think Jonathan Frakes is the right person for the job. No disrespect to Frakes, but Paramount probably wants a director with a bigger vision. Do you think Jonathan Frakes should helm STAR TREK 3?

STAR TREK 3 will likely be in theaters in 2016.