It's not the franchise that WON'T die. Star Trek is the franchise that CAN'T die. From the classic three-season television series--that's right, just three seasons--to a film series that began in 1979 and ended in 1991.
Gee thanks, Google! Now, I feel old. I have no idea how many times I've said certain parts of our popular culture have been around my entire life--Cher's career, the Ford Mustang, Star Trek. Well, I was wrong on that last one.