Actor Chris Pine, best known for his performance as young Captain James T. Kirk in J.J. Abrams' 2009 Star Trek reboot and its sequels, offers a confusing update about Paramount's plans for a fourth instalment.During the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, Pine was asked by Deadline Hollywood to share details about Star Trek 4, which is set to be directed by Matt Shakman. He responded, "I haven't heard anything about it," said Pine. "I don't have any new news." But when asked if he was still interested in putting the Starfleet uniform back on, Pine expressed being open to it only if Paramount is serious about the project. "If it happens, I think all of us would like to come back," said Pine.
Pine earned praise from critics and Trekkies alike for his performance as Captain Kirk. The reboot of the iconic Gene Roddenberry property reignited interest in the franchise and grossed $385 million worldwide. Its 2013 sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, was a bigger hit financially, grossing $467 million. The third instalment, Star Trek Beyond, however, could barely break even and grossed less than its predecessors.
Following the release of Beyond, the Star Trek franchise on film had an uncertain future. Abrams had announced Star Trek 4 shortly before the third film's release with Chris Hemsworth returning as George Kirk from the opening moments of the 2009 reboot. But in 2018, Hemsworth along with Pine dropped out of negotiations to appear in the film after a salary dispute with Paramount. Development on Star Trek 4 and a planned spinoff film by Quentin Tarantino were scrapped entirely by 2019.
Last winter, Star Trek 4 was announced again at Paramount's investor day with Shakman named as director. The announcement reportedly caught the Star Trek cast off guard with their respective agents not aware of any negotiations to star in the film. Some of them have commented on the future of the franchise, with Pine expressing his desire to see future Star Trek films try to not compete with Marvel's 'billion-dollar' movies.
"I've always thought that Star Trek should operate in the zone that is smaller," said Pine. "You know, it's not a Marvel appeal. It's like, let's make the movie for the people that love this group of people, that love this story, that love Star Trek. Let's make it for them and then, if people want to come to the party, great. But make it for a price and make it, so that if it makes a half-billion dollars, that's really good."
The next Star Trek film is slated for release on Dec. 22, 2023.
Source: Deadline via Twitter