Andy Weir has apologized to Alex Kurtzman for comments he made while appearing on the Critical Drinker podcast. In an open letter posed to Facebook, the Project Hail Mary author apologized to Kurtzman, reiterating that he likes him as a person and that he's a fan of Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks. He also admitted that his attempt to be funny simply came off as mean-spirited, but also noted his feelings parts of his quotes were "taken out of context as salacious sound bytes.
Weir's comments went viral over the weekend after the writer slammed modern Star Trek series such as Discovery and Starfleet Academy, referring to them as "sh*t." Weir also went on to reveal that he actually pitched his own idea for a Star Trek series to Kurtzman and showrunners, but it was ultimately rejected.
"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]," Weir revealed. "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 sh*t. He is a nice guy. But they didn’t accept my pitch so, you know, f**k ’em.”
Weir's comments immediately went viral, prompting backlash from fellow industry veteran Don Winslow, author of Crime 101. Winslow called out Weir, who also wrote The Martian, on X/Twitter for using his moment in the spotlight to dunk on a fellow writer.
“Congrats on the success of Project Hail Mary and The Martian. I’m a real fan. But when you have your moment don’t use it to crap on other writers’ work," Winslow said. "For the record, Alex Kurtzman is a visionary writer, creator, producer and you owe him an apology… writer to writer."
Winslow continued: “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.”
Below is Weir's full apology to Kurtzman, which he posted on Facebook:
Open letter to Alex Kurtzman:
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 [frick] '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.
Kurtzman has led the modern revival of Star Trek on television, overseeing series like Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds. However, his track record as creative lead has been a mixed bag. Many longtime fans believe the franchise has taken a darker turn under his leadership, favoring action, high-stakes drama, and spectacle over the thoughtful, philosophical tone and spirit of exploration that defined shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation.
As things stand, Alex Kurtzman’s future with the franchise and that of Star Trek itself remain uncertain. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will conclude with its already filmed second season, while Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has just two seasons left, with Season 4 expected to premiere later this summer.