It’s not clear where things stand with a fourth “Star Trek” film featuring the Kelvin Timeline cast including Chris Pine as Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, Zoe Saldana as Uhura, Karl Urban as Bones, John Cho as Sulu and Simon Pegg as Scotty.
“WandaVision” director Matt Shakman exited the project in August with Paramount Pictures has removing the untitled J.J. Abrams-produced project from its film slate.
That pulling was not unprecedented as the film had been dated to hit cinemas on December 22nd 2023, a date it simply could not achieve. Shakman had been attached for over a year but jumped ship to Marvel Studios’ “Fantastic Four” reboot.
Cut to nearly six months later, it doesn’t sound like much has progressed. Speaking with Esquire whilst out promoting “Dungeons & Dragons,” Pine says he is out of the loop when it comes to knowing what’s going on:
“I don’t know anything. In ‘Star Trek’ land, the actors are usually the last people to find out anything. I know costume designers that have read scripts before the actors.
I would say it’s frustrating. It doesn’t really foster the greatest sense of partnership, but it’s how it’s always been. I love the character. I love the people. I love the franchise. But to try to change the system in which things are created – I just can’t do it. I don’t have the energy.”
The outlet also got in touch with Abrams who says the script is in good shape: “I will say it’s the first time [since the original reboot] that we have a story that feels as compelling as the first one.”
The talk comes as seven years have almost passed since the third installment, 2016’s “Star Trek Beyond,” disappointed at the box office with $344 million worldwide. Of course “Star Trek” isn’t Marvel, or “Star Wars,” and Pine is well aware of it:
“I’m not sure ‘Star Trek’ was ever built to do that kind of business. I always thought, Why aren’t we just appealing to this really rabid fan group and making the movie for a good price and going on our merry way, instead of trying to compete with the Marvels of the world? After the last one came out and didn’t do the $1 billion that everybody wanted it to do, and then Anton [Yelchin]… passed away, I don’t know, it just seemed… [it] feels like it’s cursed.”
Whilst the “Star Trek” films are stuck in limbo, the TV world is thriving with the third season of “Picard” airing and both “Strange New Worlds” season two and “Discovery” season five on the way.
