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Zachary Quinto offers hopeful Star Trek 4 update

"There’s no cutoff".

Zachary Quinto has given fans a hopeful update on Star Trek 4 .

The fourth film in the rebooted timeline , which was kickstarted by JJ Abrams in 2009, has had a number of false starts over the past few years. The last we heard was that a new writer had come aboard back in March .

Quinto has now spoken out about the possibility of the Star Trek cast getting back together for a fourth film one day, saying that "anything's possible".

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"There’s no cutoff," the Spock actor told Variety . "The original cast did movies for decades, well into their 50s, 60s.

"The stories might be different. We might not be running as fast on the other planets, but I think anything's possible, and I think there's nothing more fulfilling as an artist then to come back to something after time has passed, and cultivate a relationship with it from a completely different perspective, and a completely new point of view."

"The great thing is Star Trek is a limitless universe," he continued. "Look at all the television shows, look at all the stories, look at all the characters and timelines. Anything is possible.

"That's the joy of the franchise. That's why it's lasted for 55, 60 years. I'm open to it. I would love it. I would absolutely love it."

Related: Patrick Stewart thought he'd 'never hear' of Tom Hardy again after Star Trek role

It's a more positive outlook than Captain Kirk actor Chris Pine has, as last year he admitted that he feels like the franchise is "cursed" .

"After the last one came out and didn't do the $1 billion that everyone wanted it to do, and then Anton (Yelchin) passed away , I don't know," he said. "It just... feels like it's cursed."

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Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy , having worked there since 2016. In his time, he's covered a host of live events and interviewed celebrities big and small.

A big fan of TV and movies both mainstream and obscure, Joe's main interest is in video gaming. Although particularly a PlayStation gamer, he plays across Xbox, Nintendo and PC/Steam Deck, and likes to keep tabs on many games he's not got the time to play.

Joe currently does not use Twitter, but he only ever used it to tell people to watch the film Help! I'm a Fish (which you really should do).

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Star Trek 4 & Kelvin Timeline Cast Return Get Profoundly Optimistic Update From Zachary Quinto

Z achary Quinto is still interested in making Star Trek 4 , and he has a pretty optimistic outlook on its prospects. Quinto starred as Spock alongside Chris Pine, Zoe Saldaña, Karl Urban, and others in three Star Trek movies, taking over the iconic role from original actor Leonard Nimoy. Though there have been rumblings of a fourth movie ever since Star Trek Beyond was released in 2016, nothing has come to fruition. In March of this year, Star Trek 4 took another step forward by adding Steve Yockey as its screenwriter.

While speaking to Variety for the premiere of his new NBC drama Brilliant Minds, Quinto has again contemplated the chances of him returning as Spock once more in Star Trek 4 . Like several of his cast members, he is still open to the idea of another movie, describing the Star Trek world as a " limitless universe ." Even though some might think the window of opportunity is closing on the movie's chances, Quinto has a more positive outlook and points out that there isn't really a deadline . He says:

The great thing is Star Trek is a limitless universe. Look at all the television shows, look at all the stories, look at all the characters and timelines. Anything is possible. Thats the joy of the franchise. Thats why its lasted for 55, 60 years. Im open to it. I would love it. I would absolutely love it. Theres no cutoff. The original cast did movies for decades, well into their 50s, 60s. The stories might be different. We might not be running as fast on the other planets, but I think anythings possible, and I think theres nothing more fulfilling as an artist then to come back to something after time has passed, and cultivate a relationship with it from a completely different perspective, and a completely new point of view.

What Quinto's Comments Mean For Star Trek 4

It isn't over until paramount actually says so.

Unlike other major franchises, which often find numerous ways to continue onscreen, Star Trek has ground to a halt when it comes to movies, though its television side has only flourished in the years since Beyond 's release. Despite enthusiasm from fans and the cast members themselves, a fourth movie involving the Kelvin timeline cast has struggled to get off the ground, and it's easy to feel discouraged about its prospects. This is especially true considering Paramount formally announced the cast's return in 2022, yet still couldn't make it work .

The "Kelvin timeline" refers to the timeline established by the 2009 reboot movie, which features the same characters as The Original Series but tells a new story in an alternate universe.

However, Quinto's comments prove that the door isn't shut on Star Trek 4 just yet, and that it likely won't be until Paramount says so. Pine, Saldaña, and Simon Pegg are among those who have expressed their desire to return for one more movie, demonstrating that the enthusiasm is there. Quinto's own point that, following in the steps of the first Star Trek movies , the cast could still make another film decades after their last appearance shows that the only thing standing in the way of a fourth movie is Paramount's ability to make it happen .

Our Take On Quinto's Star Trek 4 Hopes

The kelvin cast deserves one more adventure.

As a big fan of the Kelvin movies, the back-and-forth over Star Trek 4 has been disheartening for me, but Quinto's perspective gives me hope. It's true that the most recent movies have been somewhat divisive, particularly in the eyes of fans who have loved the franchise since the beginning, but the cast has earned plenty of praise and approval from audiences.

They deserve the opportunity to properly close out their arcs and say goodbye to their characters. A fourth movie can also provide another opportunity to pay tribute to Chekov actor Anton Yelchin, who tragically passed away in 2016. With Quinto and others still on board, and the franchise still telling new stories (albeit mostly on television), Star Trek 4 remains a very real possibility, and I can only hope it finally happens in the next few years.

Source: Variety

Star Trek 4

Intended to be the fourth film in the Star Trek reboot series begun by J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009), Star Trek 4 is currently in development after several attempts at production have fallen through. The film will be a sequel to Star Trek: Beyond (2016), although plot details are still unclear due to the project changing hands several times. It is also unclear whether the cast of the reboot films will return.

Director Matt Shakman

Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures

Writers Lindsey Beer, Geneva Robertson-Dworet

Cast Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Chris Pine, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, John Cho, Chris Hemsworth

Rating PG-13

Genres Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure

Franchise(s) Star Trek

prequel(s) Star Trek: Nemesis, Star Trek: Insurrection, Star Trek: Generations, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek Beyond

STAR TREK 4 Names New Writer for ‘Final Chapter’ of Series

For a while there, it certainly seemed like we would never get a Star Trek 4 . But in February of 2022, another Star Trek film was announced. Since then, though, we haven’t heard very much about the progress of the potential fourth movie that would reunite Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, and more. And updates, both good and bad, have been slight. Still, it looks like the fourth Star Trek film remains in the works, even though some recent comments about it were not wholly positive. The latest piece of news on it even names a writer for the movie. Here’s everything we know about the progress of a possible Star Trek 4 movie.

The Latest Updates on Star Trek 4 : A New Writer Emerges

Variety has revealed that Star Trek 4 officially has a new writer onboard. Steve Yockey, the co-creator of Max’s series The Flight Attendant, will now pen the next (and last) movie in this version of Star Trek ‘s world.

Recently, Variety also reported that “the fourth installment of the rebooted ‘ Star Trek ‘ film series remains in development, with the studio describing it as the ‘final chapter.'” We guess that’s good news. But we’ll wait for something a little more concrete to celebrate properly.

Chris Pine on the Status of Star Trek 4

But if Star Trek 4 is still alive, Captain Kirk doesn’t seem to know. Recently, Chris Pine spoke about Star Trek 4 , but he didn’t really have much to say. When chatting to Comicbook.com , Pine was asked about any updates about the movie. Pine responded, “Not that I know of.” And when asked if Pine had potentially read any Star Trek 4 scripts, he responded very plainly with “No, of course not.” Hopefully, he’ll hear about it soon, now that a new writer is involved.

Pine also expressed surprise that a new writer was involved with Star Trek 4 . He shared with Business Insider , “I honestly don’t know. There was something in the news of a new writer coming on board. I thought there was already a script, but I guess I was wrong, or they decided to pivot. As it’s always been with “Trek,” I just wait and see.”

While all of that that doesn’t inspire much hope in the status of the movie, Lindsey Anderson Beer, who was initially involved in the writing of the Star Trek 4 script, noted to Collider in September of 2023 that the project was still moving forward. She shared, “It is, it’s still on the tracks. I love that project, and it was another one that I had to hop off of to direct this movie, and that was a hard thing to do. But I love that everybody involved with that project.”

The Initial News About Another Trek Movie

These updates come a few years after the initial burst of news we received about Star Trek 4 . According to  Deadline ‘s February 2022 article, negotiations were underway with the intent to bring back all of the mainstays in the rebooted franchise. That includes getting Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, and Simon Pegg to return for Star Trek 4 . It was just one of the many major developments to arise out of the ViacomCBS Investor Day call in 2022. J.J. Abrams appeared on the call, confirming the reports that the fourth movie was a go.

WandaVision ‘s Matt Shakman was originally on tap to direct Star Trek 4 but has since bowed out of the project. We will wait and see who may replace him. Josh Friedman and Cameron Squires were slated to write the script at the time. According to Deadline, their version is based on a script from Lindsey Beer and Geneva Robertson-Dworet. Now, of course, Steve Yockey has come aboard. Depending on how it goes, this film might have a  lot of credited scribes.

Star Trek 4 ‘s Plot

Naturally, other details about Star Trek 4 remained under wraps, including the plot. It’s been a turbulent last several years for Star Trek 4 . Back in 2018, plans for another film with the cast stalled, reportedly after Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth, who played George Kirk in the 2009 reboot, walked away over pay disputes. But Hemsworth later told Variety he wasn’t completely on board with the script.

Over the last several years, several people, from Noah Hawley to Quentin Tarantino, have tossed around ideas for a  Star Trek film. (The  Once Upon a Time in Hollywood writer-director really wanted to make the first R-rated Star Trek  project.  Mark L. Smith, who wrote The Revenant , even wrote a draft.)

Still, though, many, including John Cho , held out hope that the fourth film in the rebooted franchise would eventually happen and that the  Enterprise crew would get back together—save one very important cast member.

Anton Yelchin , who played Chekov in the first three films, sadly passed away in 2016. Abrams confirmed at the time that the role would not be recast. He told the Toronto Sun , “I would say there’s no replacing him. There’s no recasting. I can’t possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better.” We’d imagine this sentiment remains in place. And we can’t wait to see how they pay tribute to the late actor.

Danai Gurira Would Have Starred in 2018’s Version of Star Trek 4

As mentioned, in 2018, Star Trek 4 would have starred Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth, but also another big name. Danai Gurira was in talks to star in the film as well. Gurira hasn’t shared which role she was slated for, but notes, “I was in talks… I don’t know how far along they were, but that was looking to happen. I was quite excited about it, but then that entire film didn’t happen.” And additionally, “I was very excited to do it. She was going to be very different from me in many ways. You know, it’s Star Trek , man. It was cool… It was a very exciting idea and story and I was excited about the character.”

According to TrekMovie.Com , Gurira remains interested in a Star Trek role. We’ll cross our fingers she can appear should Star Trek 4 ever actually happen.

Where We Stand with Star Trek 4 Right Now

For now , Paramount has removed Star Trek 4 from its release schedule. And that’s about all we know for sure. One way or the other, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more Star Trek   4 developments and any glimpse of Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and the rest.

Originally published on June 8, 2022.

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'Star Trek' 4 In the Works With Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto & More Returning

The next installment in the sci-fi franchise is beginning to materialize.

The intrepid Starfleet crew are gearing up to venture into space once more as another installment in the Star Trek franchise begins to materialize.

On Tuesday, producer J.J. Abrams revealed the news that a fourth Star Trek film was in the works during the Paramount Investors Day Presentation.

Paramount is in talks with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Karl Urban and Simon Pegg, to reprise their roles as, respectively, Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Sulu, Bones and Scotty.

"We are thrilled to say that we are hard at work on a new Star Trek  film that will be shooting by the end of the year," Abrams said, according to Variety, adding that the movie "will be featuring our original cast and some new characters that I think are going to be really fun and exciting and help take Star Trek  into areas that you’ve just never seen before."

The cast first came together  -- along with the late Anton Yelchin as Chekov -- for the first time in 2009's Star Trek , which both reset the universe's continuity and, through time travel, blended the universes of the multiple Star Trek timelines.

The crew reassembled in 2013 for  Star Trek Into Darkness , where they faced off against Benedict Cumberbatch's super-soldier assassin Khan, and for a third outing in 2016's Star Trek Beyond , where they matched wits and brawn with Idris Elba's ruthless warlord Krall.

Abrams told investors, "We’re thrilled about this film, we have a bunch of other stories that we’re talking about that we think will be really exciting, so can’t wait for you to see what we’re cooking up. But until then, live long and prosper."

The film is currently set to be helmed by WandaVision director Matt Shakman and begins production in late 2022.

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• Zachary Quinto
• Zoe Saldana
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Zachary Quinto Offers Hopeful Star Trek 4 Update

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Zachary Quinto has offered a hopeful update on the development of the long-delayed Star Trek 4 . Speaking with Variety about the reboot sequel, or lack thereof, Quinto is eager to reprise the role of Spock alongside Chris Pine’s James T. Kirk, with the actor declaring that he would “absolutely love” to once again boldly go where no one has gone before as part of the Enterprise crew.

“The great thing is ‘Star Trek’ is a limitless universe. Look at all the television shows, look at all the stories, look at all the characters and timelines. Anything is possible. That’s the joy of the franchise. That’s why it’s lasted for 55, 60 years. I’m open to it. I would love it. I would absolutely love it.”

Star Trek Beyond

Not available

Star Trek 4 has now been in development since as far back as 2015, with the sequel being written at the same time as 2016’s Star Trek Beyond . Following the release of the third outing in the reboot franchise, several different ideas have been pitched for Star Trek 4 , but to no avail. For Quinto, it doesn’t really matter how long it takes to get Star Trek 4 made, as the actor points out how other Star Trek franchise leads have played their respective characters “well into their 50s” and beyond.

“There’s no cutoff. The original cast did movies for decades, well into their 50s, 60s. The stories might be different. We might not be running as fast on the other planets, but I think anything’s possible, and I think there’s nothing more fulfilling as an artist then to come back to something after time has passed, and cultivate a relationship with it from a completely different perspective, and a completely new point of view.”

Will Star Trek 4 Ever Happen?

Star Trek was rebooted for the big screen by director J.J. Abrams back in 2009, with the new “Kelvin timeline” introducing younger versions of the iconic characters James T. Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the crew at the beginning of their Star Fleet careers. Two sequels, Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) and Star Trek Beyond (2016), have since been released, with a fourth movie having been in development ever since.

Several different scripts with very different storylines have since been written and rejected, with the likes of Quentin Tarantino pitching his own idea for a Star Trek movie, while straight-forward sequel ideas have included bringing Chris Hemsworth’s George Kirk back using time travel. The last we heard, Doom Patrol and The Flight Attendant writer Steve Yockey had been brought aboard to write one last chapter in the Kelvin timeline series.

Chris Pine Gets Candid on Star Trek 4 Challenges: 'I’m Sick of Trying to Please People'

Chris Pine shared some strong views on targeting the wrong audiences, ridiculous movie budgets, and how to get Star Trek 4 made.

While we await further news regarding Star Trek 4 (and whether it will ever actually happen), X-Men writer and producer Simon Kinberg was recently hired to create a new Star Trek era for Paramount Pictures. Though details remain scarce at present, it has been revealed that this new era will begin with a prequel exploring “the creation of the Starfleet and humankind’s first contact with alien life.”

Zachary Quinto can currently be seen leading the NBC medical drama Brilliant Minds.

• Zachary Quinto

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Zachary quinto on starring in ‘who’s afraid of virginia woolf’ and when the next ‘star trek’ film will happen.

The actor, appearing at The Geffen Playhouse in the Edward Albee classic, says of 'Star Trek', "I hope that we’ll get to assemble the crew one more time."

By Jordan Riefe

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Most moviegoers know him as Mr. Spock in the Star Trek franchise, but Zachary Quinto is first and foremost a theater rat. A nominee and winner of numerous awards for his work in plays like Angels in America , The Glass Menagerie and more recently, The Boys in the Band , he’s now undertaking perhaps his toughest stage role to date — George in the Edward Albee classic, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Opening April 28 at Los Angeles’ Geffen Playhouse , the new production, directed by Gordon Greenberg, also stars Aimee Carrero as Honey, Graham Phillips as her husband, Nick, and Calista Flockhart as George’s besotted wife, Martha.

In the well-known play — which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year — George and Martha spend a drunken evening entertaining Nick and Honey at their home on the campus of a small New England university where both men are professors. As the booze flows and the hours tick by, Nick and Honey bear witness to the drunken hostility that defines their hosts’ marriage. But soon they, too, are pulled into the fray.

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“George is someone who wrestles with a lot of inadequacy. On some levels, I would call it a failed ambition but on other levels, an absent ambition,” Quinto tells The Hollywood Reporter during a break in rehearsals. “There’s left in the balance this kind of contraction that he starts the play with. And part of the way that contraction expands is through the psychological dynamic that he shares with Martha. Something is at stake for them that’s never been at stake before, which is the survival of their marriage, the integrity of it.”

George was believed to have great potential when he married Martha, daughter of the school’s president. In the 23 years since, he has languished, drowning his disappointment in alcohol-fueled bouts with his wife. “There’s a power position George occupies as the man of the house and the bartender of the night. He keeps Martha in the degree of drunkenness she’s grown accustomed to. But the way he manipulates Nick and Honey through how much he serves them — for every drink George has, Nick and Honey have at least two, if not more.”

Quinto, who doesn’t drink, hasn’t bothered himself with the theatrical exigencies of playing drunk. Instead, his focus is on what happens when guardrails fall off, when inebriation teases out unspoken truths. The result is a storm of shouting and tears that defines much of the play.

“My belief is George and Martha very much love one another and are very much meant to survive,” says Quinto. “What’s so masterful about this play, 255 minutes are a knock-about, drag-out affair. But the last five minutes offer a glimpse of forgiveness, tenderness, unification in a way that is a masterful stroke on Albee’s part.”

The playwright’s third play, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? won a Tony for best play and was selected for the Pulitzer Prize by the drama jury, but was overruled by the organization’s advisory committee which opted not to award a drama prize that year. The 1966 film adaptation was nominated for 13 Oscars and won five, including one for Elizabeth Taylor. If the Pulitzer felt like the one that got away, Albee needn’t have worried. He subsequently won the award three times for A Delicate Balance , Seascape and Three Tall Women .

It could be kismet, but there’s crossover between Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? And Star Trek . No, Spock will not spend the recently announced new installment of the franchise drunkenly stumbling around the bridge of the USS Enterprise. Instead, he will be taking orders from Matt Shakman , artistic director of The Geffen Playhouse, who will direct the new film, with a working title of Star Trek 4 . (It would be the 14th film in the Star Trek franchise.)

But like fellow castmates Chris Pine (Captain Kirk) and Karl Urban (who plays McCoy), Quinto was blindsided by the announcement that the new film aims to shoot by year’s end.

“I don’t know that we will do it this year. I don’t know when it will happen. And I always maintain that I would love to do it,” he says, despite having not yet seen a script, which is being written by Lindsey Beer and Geneva Robertson-Dworet. “But until I get something concrete — ‘We’re shooting this day, here’s your script, get ready’ — I’m in a wait and see pattern. I’m not really attached to it in any way until I have much more definitive certainty that it’s actually happening.”

He went on to note that studio movies of the scale of Star Trek often begin in fits and starts, but he’s confident the film will happen. The property is a key franchise for Paramount, and the studio needs content for theatrical release and its streaming platform, Paramount+.

“There’s so many different platforms for content. And where that content’s coming from and how it’s getting made, and how it fits into people’s schedules and other commitments and stuff is always the hurdle. But I hope that we’ll get to assemble the crew one more time. It’s a great ensemble and we love each other,” he offers. “And I think I can speak for everyone and say we’d love to find a way to come back and do another one.”

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8 biggest changes j.j. abrams’ star trek made to zachary quinto’s spock.

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• J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies changed Zachary Quinto's Spock to make him more relatable to average moviegoers, with a deeper emotional character arc.
• Spock and Uhura's relationship faced challenges in the rebooted Star Trek films, ultimately leading to their breakup but remaining close friends.
• Quinto's Spock in the Kelvin Timeline experienced the destruction of his Vulcan homeworld and the death of his mother, impacting him deeply and fueling his struggles with emotions.

J.J. Abrams' rebooted Star Trek movies made huge changes to Zachary Quinto's Spock. Abrams' Star Trek movies take place in the alternate reality Kelvin Timeline so they could introduce a new audience to the characters of Star Trek without being bound to the established canon of the Prime Timeline. Besides Zachary Quinto's Spock, Chris Pine's Captain James T. Kirk and Zoe Saldaña's Lt. Nyota Uhura were also notably different from the familiar versions in Star Trek: The Original Series, originated by Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, and Nichelle Nichols, respectively.

Like Leonard Nimoy's version of Spock in Star Trek: The Original Series, Zachary Quinto's Kelvin Timeline Spock remained a logical foil for more emotionally-driven characters, chiefly Captain Kirk. The Kelvin Timeline Spock, however, had to visibly cope with his volatile emotions, which was the result of the devastating changes and personal tragedies he suffered in the rebooted Star Trek films. The changes made Abrams' Spock more relatable to average moviegoers, with an emotional character arc that took him through Star Trek Into Darkness and completed in Star Trek Beyond . Here are the biggest ways J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies changed Zachary Quinto's Spock.

Related: Star Trek 2009 Cast & Character Guide

8 Spock Dated & Broke Up With Uhura

In the Kelvin Timeline, Spock and Nyota Uhura were already a romantic couple before they were assigned to theUSS Enterprise. Spock tried to keep the relationship a secret, preferring to keep his personal and professional lives separate, but that proved difficult in close quarters. Trouble arose in the relationship after Vulcan was destroyed, and Spock's grief kept him from being able to fully participate in the relationship. At the start of Star Trek Beyond, Uhura's frustration with Spock's willingness to sacrifice himself led to their breakup, but Spock and Uhura remain close friends as of Star Trek Beyond' s ending .

7 Spock’s Vulcan Homeworld Was Destroyed

Spock's homeworld, Vulcan, was destroyed in Star Trek (2009) when it was attacked by Nero (Eric Bana), captain of the Romulan vessel Narada, who used red matter to turn Vulcan into a black hole. Nero blamed Ambassador Spock (Leonard Nimoy) for the destruction of Romulus in the 24th century , and traveled 150 years back in time seeking both Spock and vengeance. Failing to find him, Nero had his revenge by eradicating the whole planet Vulcan. While Spock's childhood on Vulcan wasn't kind, the planet was still Spock's home, and its loss fueled both his survivor's guilt and far more irrational reactions.

6 Spock’s Mother Amanda Died

Spock's human mother, Amanda Grayson (Winona Ryder) , died in Nero's attack on Vulcan that eradicated the planet. The Enterprise responded to the Vulcan distress call, but by the time they arrived, it was too late. Spock's mother died before his eyes, leaving a lasting impact on him that affected him even more than the loss of the planet Vulcan. Losing Amanda devastated Spock, with his anger and hatred rising to the surface much more readily after her death; later, the loss motivated Spock to close off what remained of his emotions due to his inability to process grief, even with Uhura's help.

5 Spock Was Never Engaged To T’Pring

In the Prime Timeline, Spock had been engaged to T'Pring (Gia Sandhu, Arlene Martel) since childhood, but Spock's relationship with T'Pring apparently didn't exist in the Kelvin Timeline. Or, if it did, it ended when Vulcan was destroyed, which presumably also was the death of the Kelvin Timeline's T'Pring. While Prime Spock kept his engagement to T'Pring a secret from the rest of the Enterprise crew until he was required to return to Vulcan to mate with her, Kelvin Spock could have done the same, but Spock's relationship with Vulcan culture was far more fraught as a whole. It was unlikely that Quinto's Spock was betrothed to T'Pring at all, particularly since Spock's romantic relationship with Uhura seemed to be his only one.

4 Spock Programmed The Kobayashi Maru

It was a significant plot point in Star Trek (2009) that Zachary Quinto's Spock programmed the Kobayashi Maru test during his career as an instructor at Starfleet Academy. The test itself was the same simulation designed to test how Starfleet cadets handled no-win situations, as was its famed winner, James T. Kirk. Kirk was able to beat the unbeatable test by reprogramming it, which in the Kelvin Timeline invoked Spock's ire as the test's programmer. As far as Spock was concerned, Kirk not only ignored the purpose of the game, but learned nothing from it, and still managed to receive accolades for his disregard for policy.

3 Spock & Kirk Hated Each Other At First

When Zachary Quinto's Spock and Chris Pine's Kirk met for the first time, they hated each other. Kirk and Spock's first meeting differed between timelines , when Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 6, "Lost in Translation" firmly established Kirk and Spock meeting each other in the Prime Timeline. Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose-Gooding) introduced her new friend Lt. James Kirk (Paul Wesley) to Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) in a wholly normal meeting between colleagues without the animosity of the Kelvin Timeline relationship that was characterized by stark differences in philosophy and regular clashes.

2 Spock Met Prime Universe Spock

Star Trek (2009) passed the proverbial torch from the old franchise to the new when Zachary Quinto's Kelvin Timeline Spock met Leonard Nimoy's Prime Timeline Spock. Because the Kelvin Timeline was established when Nero went back in time specifically chasing after Nimoy's Ambassador Spock, it was impossible for the same events to play out in the Prime Timeline. Before Prime Spock died in the Kelvin Timeline , Nimoy's Spock became a mentor to Quinto's, and provided the younger Spock with advice regarding his personal relationships, tactical strategies, and most importantly, hope for the future.

1 Spock Didn’t Die Fighting Khan

In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan , Leonard Nimoy's Spock gave his life during the Enterprise's fight with Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) in service to "the needs of the many" , but Zachary Quinto's Spock survived the events of Star Trek Into Darkness . J.J. Abrams' answer to The Wrath of Khan , Star Trek Into Darkness saw the Enterprise crew encounter Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch) years earlier than they did in the Prime Timeline. In a subversion of audience expectations, it was Kirk who sacrificed himself to save the Enterprise from Khan, Spock pursued Khan in retribution for Kirk's death.

While the changes made to Spock in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies were significant, they were necessary to tell the story Abrams wanted to tell in the amount of time available. The Kelvin Timeline movies were fast-paced action movies designed to appeal to 21st-century audiences that expected high-stakes drama and effects-laden set pieces, so characters like Zachary Quinto's Spock were going to be painted in broader strokes than their Prime Timeline counterparts. In the end, the changes J.J. Abrams made to Spock worked with the plots perfectly, and attracted a whole new audience to the world of Star Trek , just as intended.

‘Star Trek 4’ Beams Up New Screenwriter: ‘The Flight Attendant’ Creator Steve Yockey (EXCLUSIVE)

By Adam B. Vary

Adam B. Vary

Senior Entertainment Writer

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Steve Yockey , creator of the Max series “The Flight Attendant,” is joining Starfleet as the new screenwriter for “ Star Trek 4.”

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Yockey’s involvement is the most promising sign of forward momentum the project has had since. The playwright started his TV writing career on the MTV series “Awkward” and “Scream,” before joining the writing staff of “Supernatural” for four seasons. His latest series, the Sandman universe adaptation “Dead Boy Detectives,” will premiere on Netflix in April.

Paramount is also developing a separate “Star Trek” project, with writer Seth Grahame-Smith (“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”) and director by Toby Haynes (“Black Mirror: USS Callister”), that would feature a new cast in a story meant as a kind of origin story for the franchise. A project with screenwriter Kalinda Vazquez (“Fear the Walking Dead”) first announced in 2021 also remains in development.

Yockey is represented by CAA and Slate PR.

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Zachary Quinto Says ‘Star Trek 4’ Doesn’t Feel Real But He’s Ready To Play Spock When J.J. Abrams Calls

| November 15, 2022 | By: TrekMovie.com Staff 55 comments so far

It’s been a couple of months since Paramount Pictures removed the “Star Trek 4” project from their 2023 schedule. And now another member of the Kelvin-era cast is expressing skepticism about a follow-up to 2016’s Star Trek Beyond .

Quinto will get excited when Star Trek 4 gets real

After Paramount and producer J.J. Abrams announced in February the Kelvin cast would reunite for a fourth movie, Zachary Quinto (Spock) was the first to raise questions about the project being able to meet the announced timetable to start shooting this year. Now that director Matt Shakman has left the project and Paramount has removed it from its Christmas 2023 release slot, Quinto is expressing even more skepticism, telling the UK’s Independent :

At this point, I honestly have very little attachment to it. All of us would like to come back and make another movie, but I’ve learnt to only get excited about things I know are actually real. And there’s nothing about a fourth Star Trek movie that feels real right now.

I have no idea if—or when—it will ever come together at this point. I think it’s better for everybody’s mental well-being to just trust that a lot’s happening and when the phone rings, and J.J. says, ‘Hey, we’re actually really going to do this,’ then I’ll show up. But until then, I have a lot of other stuff going on and a lot of stuff to turn my attention to.

Quinto’s comment that he trusts “a lot’s happening” behind the scenes could be related to co-star Zoe Saldana’s recent comments about how the delay in the project is more than just a matter of scheduling. For now, like Quinto, Trek fans are waiting to see what Abrams and Paramount do next as we head into the longest period between Star Trek movie releases since the film franchise launched in 1979.

Zachary Quinto as Spock in Star Trek Beyond

Quinto on stage in London and in new audio drama

Quinto is in the UK to make his West End debut in Best of Enemies playing Gore Vidal opposite David Harewood as William F. Buckley Jr. on Monday (14 November). The play opens at the Noël Coward Theatre on November 28 and will run through February with previews starting this week.

Quinto can also be heard in his latest Audible project, the audio drama thriller The Method .

The lines between real life and acting begin to blur. #TheMethodxAudible pic.twitter.com/JnFcZDgX1s — Audible (@audible_com) October 16, 2022

Keep up with all the news on Star Trek 4 and upcoming Trek films at TrekMovie.com .

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Any feature length Trek movie in the near future will most likely be coming from Secret Hideout (sorry, haters). I’d certainly like to see another Kelvin era feature, but until a production house steps up with a decent story and a budget of 100-120MM, Paramount isn’t interested. They have other franchises vying for limited resources where there’s much better potential ROI.

Yep. the sad truth is in the movies all Paramount cares about is Tom Cruise and for TV/Streaming Yellowstone is very quickly taking over priority from Trek.

Hmm, I’m pretty sure they have franchise movies coming out in the next two years for Transformers, Kung Fu Panda, Scream, A Quite Place, Sonic, Spongebob and TNMT, and they just made a big splash with a new Stallone TV series and their Afghan War TV series. ?????

Well obv I wasn’t being literal when I said they will only make Tom Cruise movies from now on but lets be real, he is the money maker. When was the last time a Transformers movie made any kind of serious impact?

And when I speak of Yellowstone, I am not talking of a singlar series. They will have multiple ones. The latest starring Harrison Ford.

Last time I commented on an article on the new Kelvin movie I was trying to be funny, but ended up pissing people off, so I am going to sit this one out (at least in terms of specifically talking about the Kelvin movie). :-)

I seem to remember that. Dry humor doesn’t always translate in print…..

Star Trek XIV: In Flanders Fields

It’s dead, Jim.

Ha! …was on the cusp of writing that.

You can tell the cast are starting to get annoyed with the questions. I think they know as well as we do that a fourth Kelvin movie just isn’t going to happen.

Get Nick Meyer give him $100-120M budget…job done!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately Paramount thinks the only way non Trekkies will care about a Star Trek movie is if they turn it into another theme park ride for teenagers like the JJ verse movies and I don’t see Meyer wanting to make that kind of movie or even could.

Would love to see another one from him but Meyer is from a bygone era that these movies have moved on from long ago.

Star Trek: Time After Time

and in 12 days!

No Star Trek film is guaranteed to be a success. You need a studio that knows the property and supports it financially, it doesn’t hurt to start with a great script something most of the Trek films struggle with. And then lock down a good director.

JJ verse has been dead since Beyond. Let it stay dead please and give us real Star Trek again since we’re finally getting it on TV with Lower Decks, SNW and Prodigy. Maybe even Picard season 3 will bring us real TNG again like they been promising. Fingers crossed!

If we do get another movie before 2030, give us new characters in a post Nemesis era back in Prime universe. Think outside the box a little.

RIP JJ VERSE 2009-2016 🖖

Yep. There are just too many problems with another Kelvin movie. Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana would cost way too much for a movie that is not going to pull in MCU numbers or money. Anton Yelchin is sadly no longer with us. We already have a new Kirk, Spock, and Uhura on the small screen and we don’t need audience confusion.

It’s still hilarious Chris Pine is considered a ‘star’. His latest movie, Don’t Worry Darling’ is another stinker both critically and financially. I watched it on HBO Max and man it was bad. I like him as an actor but Hollywood is a weird place paying a guy millions of dollars to be in movies that probably make the same money if he wasn’t in them at all.

But another reason why the next movie is dead because Paramount finally figured that out. Why pay someone all that money for a movie that can be another stinker just like the last one?

Unless the movie just did something completely different from the others it was probably going to do what Beyond did or even worse. Too many Trekkies stopped caring about them or would just wait to watch it on Paramount+ a month later.

JJ verse squandered what should’ve been a new line of movies and spin offs that could’ve went for years.

I always hate to say this but there is a sad truth that trek fans have to accept. And that is that Trek will never be a blockbuster franchise that makes the billion $$$ category. There is nothing wrong with Trek of course but that is just not it’s strong suit. Trek is not a “pew pew” “bang bang” franchise like Star War or the MCU where its all action or conflict or battles, etc.. At it’s heart Trek is at it’s best when it is the total opposite.

Truth be told, Wrath of Khan was kind of lightning in a bottle. It captured the heart of TOS but still had the submarine like battles of wartime movies and some faint hints of mysteries and such. And the longer Trek keeps trying to capture lighting in a bottle the longer they will fail. Other franchises like, say, Back to the Future, knew they got it right and said, ok we’re done now.

I’m not saying Trek should be done in the movies, but they SERIOUSLY need to rethink things. Come up with a formula that is not bang bang action, won’t cost too much, but can still capture the interest of general audiences. Good luck!

In full agreement. Like make a Star Trek movie for actual adults and where it doesn’t have to cost $150 million because it’s not going to be Transformers.

And that’s the problem. Transformers makes a billion dollars because it’s literally aimed at kids or adults who played with the toys as kids with tons of over the top CGI action and they will go to watch that noise over and over.

Everything about the Transformer movies lines up with popcorn blockbuster filmmaking today like the MCU does. Works for both kids and adults and the more action, one note villains and silly jokes you throw in them it gets you to another hundred million dollars. And sell a crap load of merchandise too.

As hard as they tried with JJ verse they can only kiddify them so much to make more money and why it ultimately failed. The name Star Trek just scare most kids away. It’s just too adult. We have stuff like Lower Decks and Prodigy that aims younger but you’re not going to make a billion off of that either. And it still needs to be big in your face action which those shows aren’t (not counting the Crisis Point movies which of course is a send up of how ridiculous the movies are. They gotta have a scene of a sovereign class ship coming out of the water in Crisis Point 3 🤣).

None of the TOS or TNG movies were huge hits but they still made money. But only fans cares about those movies. I think TVH was really the only big crossover for non fans too.

Paramount is just in a tough spot. Maybe in another few years they will come up with a new idea with new characters that will make them enough money and satisfy both fans and non fans but good luck with that. 😂

That’s the other issue with Star Trek. Its just not a franchise that’s geared towards toys. What kid wants to buy a bridge set where your action figures just sit in a chair the whole time and push buttons and explore stuff? Toys mean action and stuff and Trek isn’t that.

depends on how the ‘dungeons/dragons’ movie does with him in the lead.

and ‘don’t worry…’ did well for a medium budget movie at box office

That’s fine but tell me one movie he’s been in as a lead that’s actually made real money? And Wonder Woman doesn’t count.

He’s been a ‘star’ for over a decade now. What is his big movies at this point people can say that guy is a Star?

I think he’s a decent actor but he doesn’t sell tickets. But fewer actors really do these days.

Not everyone agrees with you. There are those including myself that like the Kelvin movies and would like another. As you said, you have the TV shows to watch. Give us the movies.

You’re more than welcome to the movies. The problem isn’t us. The problem is these movies just aren’t feasible. They cost too much for the minimal returns Paramount gets at the box office. Sure maybe years and years down the line they could make money but thats a tall ask.

I believe Star Trek AND the Kelvin movies can be made for less. If the TV shows can be made withe a cost effective budget then so can the movies. What Star Trek needs are writers with an imagination rather than a limitless CGI budget Star Trek did not need or have CGI for its success in the beginning. Yes CGI is fascinating and adds to the visual aspect but could be toned down for cost. As far as the salaries of the actors go. In my opinion and to be frank, I do not keep up with who is A,B,C or however actors are graded but it seems to me that Saldana and Urban are the more notable ones right now and would command higher salaries. But then what do I know?

I agree with everything you just said. But who is going to pay for the A lister salaries for people like Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana and the like? I mean trying to get Helmsworth and Pine on board is rumored to be a reason one of the last attempts failed. This can’t just be a passion project of the studio and the fans. Everyone needs to be on board.

I know a lot of fans still like these movies but it’s not enough of them to make them a hit anymore.

And I’m just not saying that, Paramount is saying it too right? The only reason they stopped making these movies is because of money man, that’s it. There is no other reason. The entire cast is begging to do another one because it’s a nice paycheck obviously. They had a director, working on a script and it all still fell apart.

Why? Because they know it can bomb. That’s the only reason. And I want another movie too bro. But JJ verse is obviously not pulling in the money. What makes me angry instead of just coming up with something NEW and cheaper they have wasted six years trying to figure out a way to make another Kelvin movie. We should’ve had two more movies by now. But they squandered it because they want a billion dollar franchise from movies that never even made half that.

As long Paramount stay with that mindset you’re only going to get the shows man. Star Trek does better on TV for a reason because you can still be successful just catering to the fans. Not so much for the movies.

You don’t like any of shows? Seems like if you like those then SNW is a decent trade off. What’s wrong with that one? And Spock cries way less on that one. 😆

Kind of surprising too since it’s some of the same people who wrote for the dreadful Discovery. 🙄

trek 4 should be tng.

I think there is a high probability that this will be the case, given that the tng actors having been talking it up quite a bit that they want to do more. Maybe if season 3 is a success they will green light a new tng film?

Are you kidding, homeboy? Star Trek: The Geriatric Generation will be the next big thing?!

it won’t have box office appeal of a OS or even kelvin era movie

Totally agree! To each their own but I know that I will not wish to see it.

Agreed. TNG has only ever had 1 truly good movie.

At that point, I feel like we should revert back to calling it Trek XIV, because its no longer the fourth Kelvin film. Unless you mean you think it should be Kelvin TNG. If so, that’s definitely intriguing, but simultaneously dangerous territory haha.

Kelvin TNG should get Necar Zadegan for Deanna Troi. First thing I thought of when I saw her in Stardust City Rag in Picard season one.

Same here! I’m kind of slow with faces anyway, so when she first appeared I was very very confused.

Honestly we should have never been calling it Star Trek IV. It’s a complete insult to Voyage Home no matter what universe it takes place in.

Unfortunately, the TV shows aren’t really suitable to be moved to the big screen. Discovery never got a loyal following large enough to push for a movie. And Picard, even if considered viable would not really be a path for the future. SNW is still too new right now. Don’t think that the two animated shows were conceived for movies.

So the options are either the Kelvin line or something new, maybe with some familiar faces in the cast. But who? Janeway and Riker? Probably not. Seven and Pike maybe (everything can happen in Trek)

I don’t agree (anymore) that a successful Trek movie must be a teenager joyride. If the Maverick movie taught me one lesson, it’s that a movie targeted at adults can be veeery successful, too.

There’s only one way for ST4 to make the cheddar. Bring in Cruise as Captain of the Kelvin Excelsior. on a ‘mission’ to search for the Enterprise-A that has gone missing. only to find its gone through a portal into another universe.. (yep you guessed it, the Primeverse. cue Cruise facing off against TWOK era Shatner)

There would be precedent in theory at least. Eddy Murphy, Robin Williams, and Tom Hanks have all been linked to having possible Trek roles in the past.

Though there is some unfinished business perhaps for the Quinto Spock. He began his journey by punching Kirk and matured as a character by punching Khanberbatch many times, but not so much punching by Spock in Beyond Star Trek. A fourth and final film could complete the journey of Punchy Spock — maybe punching God, to borrow from the original films.

God would be ST5, in ST4 he slugs Eddie Murphy

Perhaps they should take the advice from the TV Division when they were trying to come up with a new series…”Let’s Just Do STAR TREK!” Which is what we got with “Strange New Worlds”…we got a TREK series that went back to the roots of “Star Trek”…

How hard is it to come up with a film that “seeks out new life, new civilizations and to boldly go where no man had gone before”? Most of the films DON’T follow that credo. We have had origins, personal stories (Look how half of those turned out!), reunions…just give us a damn STAR TREK film!

Perhaps it’s time to dust off “Planet of The Titans”?

No its time to dust off Roddenberrys JFK Trek II

I’d say yes except replace Spock with Gary Seven

I don’t know many Star Trek fans who are itching for a movie of any kind. Although I would show up for it, I’m happier with Star Trek on TV. Not to mention that two TOS reboots running at the same time really thins out interest even among the fans (especially if you’re a TNG+ era Trekkie).

I’m not at all. Sure like you I’ll watch it because I’m a fan but they done nothing for me after watching them once. I never seen any Kelvin more than twice. I only seen STID once at the theater. Never again bro… never again.

I’m also a hardcore TNG era fan. If I only had TNG, DS9, VOY, LDS and PRO I don’t need anymore Star Trek. This would keep me happy. 👍

But I do like SNW a lot it’s actual Star Trek again and has TNG/VOY vibe too. It’s sadly the only TOS era Trek I’m enjoying outside of TOS (which I like but not love).. So it’s a nice cherry on top.

But JJ verse just feels like Star Wars version of Star Trek with a side of Marvel. And I grew a huge Star Wars fan. But if I want to watch Star Wars I watch Star Wars.

When I want to seek out new life and new civilization it’s certainly not happening in JJ verse. 🤣🙄

TV is where Star Trek can just be Star Even when it’s bad Star Trek. The movies are just over stuffed action CGI nonsense and the same plot every movie.

Give me more LDS and PRO! And hopefully we get a better 25th century show when Picard is done. If Janeway or Seven is in it too, even better! 😎

I recently bought a 70″ 4K TV and have been rewatching some movies in my collection to see if any warrant an upgrade; I tried watching a couple of the Kelvin movies today.

I made it about 20 minutes in to STID before switching to something else. The opening sequence in Nibiru was a real microcosm of that whole movie: characters behaving stupidly, putting the ship in ridiculous situations (underwater?) and everybody was just running around trying to look busy without doing anything. It’s easily the low point of the Kelvin movies for me.

STID fared better. It was still marred by bouts of stupidity and Quinto to me showed very little chemistry with anybody but the tired revenge plot notwithstanding, I thought it did the best job of recapturing some of the feel of Star Trek and Kirk’s arc was actually pretty good here.

So if there is another Kelvin movie I wouldn’t mind seeing the cast again but I do hope first and foremost that they get a competent writer who can come up with a good story, some decent character development and maybe a splash of Trek values without falling into the trap of just agreeing to any idea JJ Abrams has, however stupid it may be.

It’s funny you say that because STID was the first movie I watched when I bought my projector and I felt the same way. It *looks* cool but that’s about it. Nothing about the movie makes any actual sense. And honestly I am so sick of Spock of all people being the most emotional character in the Kelvin universe!

The ship underwater reminded me of Space Battleship Yamato. And the Nibiru scene the opening to Raiders of the Lost Ark.

That’s actually an example of why there’s no movie on the horizon. Sure, it was a cool looking visual, but it was completely pointless. The studio is (likely) telling any production house interested in making Trek that there’s no more blank checks for pointless CGI. So, as long as JJ (possibly) has right of first refusal, and insisting on a 200MM budget, we find ourselves waiting.

Bro I still laugh thinking JJ put a Starship under water. Like WTF???

Ok, I can gulp down the stupid if we get some techobabble reason for being there… couldn’t even TRY to make an excuse for it. COULDN’T EVEN BOTHER!! 😂😂😂

It’s literally ‘hey we set our Titanic size starship in the ocean of this primitive pre warp planet which no one can still explain how it got there without the locals seeing this monster coming out of the atmosphere into the water (one of the more clever theories is they waited for them to all go to sleep first 😴) because, well, because, um, it makes it easier to break the prime directive once they spot it coming out of the water?

This is what happens when you give the the most advanced ship to a 20 something who didn’t even finish the academy and been hanging out in bars longer than they been in space. 🤣

It’s more funny today because fans thought JJ was a Star Trek fan who cared about things like canon, story, logic and/or common sense.

Nope! And people wondered why the Trekkies bailed on them?

BECAUSE THESE MOVIES ARE SOOOOO DUMB!!! 😂😂😂

worse it pays lip service to the idea of Boldy going, finding strange new worlds, treating them for laughs before going back to the usual ‘pew pew’ action for the rest of the film

Will they? Won’t they? Will they? Won’t they? Will they? Won’t they?

I don’t care anymore. Kill JJ-Trek once and for all. Give us an episode of SNW or something that wraps up the entire timeline as some aberration and move Trek on as it works best, an episodic TV show as Roddenberry created it to be.

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Star Trek 4 Development Details And More

J.J. Abrams rebooted the "Star Trek" franchise in 2009, and since then, the three films in the new Kelvin timeline have been a smashing success. Altogether, the first "Trek" reboot, 2013's "Star Trek Into Darkness," and 2016's "Star Trek Beyond" have grossed more than a billion dollars at the global box office. They've also done fairly well critically. With all that love, it seems pretty obvious that Hollywood would want to get "Star Trek 4" to theater screens at warp speed.

However, the road to "Star Trek 4" has not been a smooth one. In fact, it's been filled with starts and stops, various creatives coming and going, and a release date that keeps getting beamed all over the place. What do we actually know about the fourth installment of the "Star Trek" reboot series, and what will it look like when it finally makes first contact? Read on for everything we know so far about "Star Trek 4."

What is the release date for Star Trek 4?

"Star Trek 4" has been in the works for a long time ... a really long time. In June 2015, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Chris Pine (Kirk) and Zachary Quinto (Spock) had signed up for "Star Trek 4." But Pine and Chris Hemsworth (who was said to be returning as Kirk's dad) allegedly left a potential fourth project over pay disputes in 2018, and in 2019, it was announced that the film had been shelved. Eventually, the project started moving again and earned a release date of June 9, 2023, but that got kicked back to December 22, 2023 ... before vanishing from the release slate completely.

We have reason to believe "Star Trek 4" is still in the works, however. Speaking with Collider , former director Matt Shakman (who left the project to direct "Fantastic Four") said, "I think what they're still working on is a version of what I have been working on for the time that I was involved." In August 2023, Quinto added his own take on the likelihood of a fourth outing. "I think there's a lot of other stuff, creative things. It's complicated," the actor remarked (via TrekMovie.com ). He continued, "I don't know if and when it will happen ... And if coalesces again and we come back and we're able to do it, wonderful. If not, we had a great run."

In a September 2023 piece on the end of the Writers Guild of America strike, Variety reported that Paramount was looking to polish a "Star Trek 4" script. Another promising nugget of info emerged around this time, when writer-director Lindsey Anderson Beer, who co-wrote a prospective "Star Trek 4" script, told Collider , "It's still on the tracks." So, "Star Trek 4" isn't dead in the water, and with the 2023 Hollywood strikes ended, a major obstacle is gone. But that's pretty much all we know.

What is the plot of Star Trek 4?

At this point, no plot details for the upcoming fourth "Star Trek" movie have been revealed. Some proposed paths forward have been rumored to involve alternate timelines, or even another reboot — especially Tarantino's attempt — but they've all fallen by the wayside. For now, we can probably assume "Star Trek 4" will take place after the events of 2016's "Star Trek Beyond," which was directed by Justin Lin of the  "Fast and Furious" franchise .

In "Star Trek Beyond," Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise see their beloved ship crash on the planet Altamid after an ambush by a pre-Federation human soldier, Idris Elba's Captain Balthazar Edison. When Kirk and the gang discover Edison's plans to use an ancient bioweapon to destroy the Federation, they're forced to stop him — without the help of their ship. That film also explores the death of Leonard Nimoy's Ambassador Spock, as well as relationship troubles between Spock and Uhura.

One story we know "Star Trek 4" won't be exploring is a reunion between Captain Kirk and his father George, courtesy of time travel. Chris Hemsworth briefly played George Kirk in 2009's "Star Trek," but turned down a chance to reprise the role in a bigger story in 2018. "Star Trek 4" also won't tie into any of the current "Star Trek" TV series, like "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" or "Star Trek: Lower Decks." Those series take place in a universe separate from the Kelvin timeline.

Who is starring in Star Trek 4?

You'd expect a "Star Trek" movie set in the Kelvin timeline to feature the return of the ol' gang, right? Why, yes, you would. However, nothing has been easy about getting "Star Trek 4" off the ground, and that includes bringing back the original cast. In 2018, Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth reportedly walked away from the project over pay disputes. In February 2022, when producer J.J. Abrams announced that "Star Trek 4" was finally moving ahead, new behind-the-scenes drama erupted. While Abrams said the original stars were returning, none of the actors had officially agreed to the project.

In March 2022, Pine told Variety about his reaction to the "Star Trek 4" announcement: "I think everybody was like, 'Did you hear about this?' We're usually the last people to find out, but I do know we're all excited. Whenever they want to send us a script, we're ready for it." Karl Urban had a similar stance, telling the U.K.'s Radio X (via TrekMovie.com ) in May 2022, "I have heard that it is happening, but I've been hearing that for the last three years ... All I know is they are developing it, they're writing a script, and I know 100% that we all want to come back and do it. So I think it's all just a matter of logistics and timing at this point."

Sofia Boutella — who played Jaylah in "Star Trek Beyond" — also expressed interest in returning, saying (via Fandom Spotlite ), "I would love to see [Jaylah] evolve with all of the guys ... I would do it in a heartbeat." However, Zachary Quinto seems a bit wary of the whole thing. During a November 2022 interview with The Independent , the actor said, "At this point, I honestly have very little attachment to it. All of us would like to come back and make another movie, but I've learnt to only get excited about things I know are actually real. And there's nothing about a fourth 'Star Trek' movie that feels real right now."

Will Star Trek 4 recast Chekov?

One of the most classic and beloved "Star Trek" characters, Pavel Chekov was memorably played in the first three Kelvin timeline movies by Anton Yelchin. Yelchin was killed in a car accident in June 2016, just one month before the release of "Star Trek Beyond." His passing has definitely been felt by both fans and his "Star Trek" cohorts.

In March 2022, when the movie was still moving forward under director Matt Shakman, Uhura actress Zoe Saldaña told Entertainment Tonight about the project. "Obviously, it's bittersweet," she remarked, "because we are coming together for a fourth time and one of us is no longer with us with Anton's passing, but we honestly feel that going back and keeping the 'Star Trek' family together is a way to really keep him alive in our thoughts and our hearts because he was such a fan. And he was such a devoted artist to the craft and also to 'Star Trek.'"

Of course, that particular version of "Star Trek 4" is no longer moving forward, but if you think Saldaña's comments indicate that Paramount won't be recasting the part of Chekov, you're probably right. In a 2016 interview with Postmedia Network , shortly after Yelchin's death, producer J.J. Abrams explained, "I would say there's no replacing him. There's no recasting. I can't possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better."

Granted, emotions were high when Abrams said they wouldn't replace Yelchin. However, there's been no indication in the years since the actor's death that a new Chekov will show up on the bridge of the Enterprise.

Who is directing Star Trek 4?

Perhaps the main reason that "Star Trek 4" hasn't happened yet is that Paramount Pictures is having a difficult time finding a director. For a moment, it looked like Quentin Tarantino was going to boldly go where he'd never gone before. J.J. Abrams was super excited about Tarantino's time-traveling concept of sending Kirk and co.  to a world of 1930s gangsters, similar to the classic "Trek" episode "A Piece of the Action." Screenwriter Mark L. Smith of "The Revenant" fame was set to pen the script, but sadly for Trekkies who wanted to see Spock quoting Ezekiel 25:17, Tarantino's vision never came to pass.

Then, it looked like S.J. Clarkson was going to make history as the first woman to helm a "Star Trek" movie. But after Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth left the project in 2018, the movie was subsequently shelved. Noah Hawley of "Fargo" fame was also working on a "Star Trek" movie — one that would've been about a brand new group of heroes — but Paramount eventually stepped in and shut things down because it wouldn't have featured the famous Enterprise crew.

The closest that "Star Trek 4" has come to happening was when Matt Shakman took the captain's seat. After he directed the entirety of the smash hit MCU series "WandaVision," the world was Shakman's oyster, and he intended to shepherd the newest entry in the "Star Trek" universe to theater screens. However, Marvel Studios was keen on working with Shakman again, and after director Jon Watts decided to step away from 2025's "Fantastic Four," the folks at Marvel asked Shakman to come back to the MCU — which he did. As a result, at the moment, "Star Trek 4" is floating through space without a captain.

Where to watch the previous Star Trek movies

While we all wait for news about "Star Trek 4," it might be a good time to go back and revisit previous installments in the "Star Trek" reboot series. If you want to watch the film that started it all and introduced us to new versions of Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and the rest of the Enterprise crew, you can stream 2009's "Star Trek" on Paramount+ . You can also rent it for $3.99 on Google Play ,  Amazon Prime Video , Apple iTunes , Vudu , and YouTube .

If you're ready for the 2013 sequel where Benedict Cumberbatch definitely doesn't play Khan Noonien Singh, you can stream "Star Trek Into Darkness" on Paramount+ . You can also rent it for $3.99 on Google Play , Apple iTunes , Vudu , and YouTube . Amazon Prime Video offers it for $4.29. If you're looking for the third film, where our heroes learn the true power of the Beastie Boys, you can stream "Star Trek Beyond" on Paramount+ . You can also rent it for $2.69 on Google Play and $3.99 on Amazon Video , Apple iTunes , Vudu , and YouTube .

‘Star Trek 4’ Writer Confirms Next Movie Is "Still on the Tracks”

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‘Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story’ Just Got the Release Update Fans Have Been Waiting For

‘transformers one’ is about to rev past tom hardy’s gritty motorcycle drama at the global box office, chris hemsworth and sam rockwell will play themselves in new action thriller, the big picture.

• Star Trek fans can look forward to another installment in the reboot series, although it may take some time before it hits the big screen.
• Lindsey Anderson Beer, the writer/director of the upcoming Pet Sematary: Bloodlines prequel movie, expressed her love for the Star Trek project and hinted at its positive progress.
• While the script may have changed hands, the studio has not abandoned Star Trek 4 , and director Matt Shakman confirmed that they are still working on a version of the project he was involved in before he moved to Fantastic Four .

Star Trek fans have had a feast of content over the past 6 years with Star Trek: Discovery kicking off a renaissance of television shows following Starfleet's best and brightest on some of the most thrilling adventures the galaxy has ever seen. However, none of the currently or recently airing Star Trek shows would've been possible without the wild success of the reboot movies following Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as the iconic Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. With an alternate origin story, the movie franchise boldly hit theaters in 2009 and spawned two sequel movies with Star Trek: Into Darkness remixing the Wrath of Khan in 2013, and Star Trek: Beyond telling a whole new story in 2016.

Now, 7 years later, fans are still clamoring for another installment in the now-loved reboot series. During a conversation about her upcoming Pet Sematary: Bloodlines prequel movie, writer/director Lindsey Anderson Beer spoke with Collider's Perri Nemiroff about the status of her long-in-development follow-up to Star Trek: Beyond . While it sounds like things are likely still in the early stages, Anderson Beer sounded positive about the likelihood that we'll still be getting that fourth movie. As she told Nemiroff:

"It is, it's still on the tracks. I love that project, and it was another one that I had to hop off of to direct this movie, and that was a hard thing to do. But I love that everybody involved with that project."

'Star Trek 4' Is Coming But It May Be a While Before It Boldly Goes to The Big Screen

Star Trek 4 , was initially set for production in the back half of 2022, but that first announcement jumped the phaser a bit as it also surprised the stars who were reportedly set to return at the time. While it looks like Anderson Beer may no longer be penning the script for this one, it does sound like the studio hasn't abandoned the project. Director Matt Shakman shared similar comments with Collider earlier this year. Shakman was slated to direct the fourth movie, however, he too had to step away from the project when he was tapped to helm the upcoming Fantastic Four movie which is set to introduce the super team to the MCU. Shakman told Editor-In-Chief Steve Weintraub , "I think what they're still working on is a version of what I have been working on for the time that I was involved."

While it may be a while before the movie fully gets off the ground, Star Trek fans can rest assured knowing that the project is still on the table. Check out Nemiroff's full conversation with Anderson Beer below.

• Star Trek 4

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one pl... Read all The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time. The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father's legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time.

• J.J. Abrams
• Roberto Orci
• Alex Kurtzman
• Gene Roddenberry
• Zachary Quinto
• 1.6K User reviews
• 534 Critic reviews
• 82 Metascore
• 27 wins & 95 nominations total

Top cast 99+

• Spock Prime

• (as Zoë Saldana)

• Amanda Grayson

• George Kirk

• Winona Kirk

• Captain Robau

• Officer Pitts
• (as Antonio Elias)
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia In the scene where Kirk is taking the Kobayashi Maru test, he is eating an apple, which is also what he is eating while recounting his tale of taking the Kobayashi Maru test in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) . (According to director J.J. Abrams in the Blu-ray audio commentary, this was not intended to be a reference to The Wrath of Khan. At one point, he was simply told that lead actors seem cocky eating apples.)
• Goofs After Spock boards the Vulcan ship on board the mining vessel, Kirk is seen walking through some pipes. His Starfleet phaser has switched to a Romulan gun (longer barrel and no lights), before switching back to the Starfleet one again in the next scene. He actually acquires the Romulan gun a few scenes later.

Spock Prime : James T. Kirk!

James T. Kirk : Excuse me?

Spock Prime : How did you find me?

James T. Kirk : Whoa... how do you know my name?

Spock Prime : I have been and always shall be your friend.

James T. Kirk : Wha...

[shakes head]

James T. Kirk : Uh... look... I-I don't know you.

Spock Prime : I am Spock.

James T. Kirk : Bullshit.

• Crazy credits The first part of the closing credits is styled after the opening credits of Star Trek (1966) , where the starship Enterprise blasts off into space as a monologue describes its mission, and then the cast names appear as the famous "Star Trek" theme music plays.
• Connections Edited into De wereld draait door: Episode #4.157 (2009)
• Soundtracks Theme from 'Star Trek' TV Series Written by Alexander Courage & Gene Roddenberry

User reviews 1.6K

• ametaphysicalshark
• Apr 25, 2009
• If this premise is that an alternate timeline created when Nero traveled back in time, then what happened to James Kirk's older brother, Sam, aka George Samuel Kirk Jr.?
• How can Spock's mother still be alive years later (original series) when she dies earlier on in this movie ?
• What is Star Trek about?
• May 8, 2009 (United States)
• United States
• Official Facebook
• Star Trek: The Future Begins
• Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA (Vulcan)
• Paramount Pictures
• Spyglass Entertainment
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $150,000,000 (estimated)
• $257,730,019
• $75,204,289
• May 10, 2009
• $385,681,768

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 7 minutes
• Dolby Digital
• 2.39 : 1 (original ratio)

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After Mysterious New Star Trek Movie Is Announced, Zachary Quinto Reveals Original Cast's Feelings On A Sequel

Star Trek Beyond was the last time Trekkies were able to see the franchise in theaters. While the property's presence has grown on television, fans have been craving a big-screen return with the original cast. But Zachary Quinto and the cast have been waiting on the news just like the fans. With the recent announcement of a mystery Star Trek film, Quinto revealed the original cast’s feelings on a sequel.

Since the release of Star Trek Beyond , Zachary Quinto and the cast have dealt with many setbacks. The case for Star Trek 4 has become less of a possibility as the cast has been busy with other projects. But that still hasn’t stop Trekkies and movie audiences from asking about a new installment. Quinto expressed his thoughts on a possible Star Trek Beyond sequel:

Honestly, I have no real idea what’s going on with Star Trek. [But] we all love each other and we all love that experience and I’m sure if it comes back around and we’re all available, I’m sure we’d be happy to jump back on board. No pun intended. But I don’t know — that’s in other people’s hands and I know I, for one, have had sort of moved on in terms of any kind of expectations, but you never know things come back in surprising ways and it’s surprising times, and it could be fun if it happens.

Since the first film in the rebooted franchise, Star Trek fans have loved seeing Zachary Quinto play everybody’s favorite Vulcan. Given Spock’s storyline in Star Trek Beyond , fans have been wanting more of his story along with the other Star Trek characters. Zachary Quinto’s performance along with the storylines helped to revive a seemingly dormant franchise under the rise of the MCU and DCEU.

During his interview with Pop Culture , Zachary Quinto was asked about the possibility of a Spock-led film in the vein of the MCU. He admitted to being open to the idea if the time and circumstances permitted it. Quinto said he would love returning to the character if the storytelling was right and necessary.

Zachary Quinto’s words came on the heels of news of a mysterious Star Trek film that popped up on Paramount’s film schedule. The listing sent Trekkies into a frenzy as it has been five years since the release of Star Trek Beyond . Quinto and the cast’s openness to returning to the franchise bode well for a possible Star Trek 4 . Years of developmental hell have finally paid off, but only time will tell if Quinto and the cast will return for the new film.

Despite fanfare and acclaim for Star Trek Beyond , the film’s release was marked by tragedy. Before the sequel was released, co-star Anton Yelchin lost his life in an unfortunate accident. His lack of presence during the promotion of the film could be felt as Zachary Quinto and the Star Trek cast had to speak on their late co-star . During promotions, Quinto and the cast seemed indifferent over doing a fourth Star Trek film . But over time, the cast has been more open to returning to the franchise.

But another hiccup in Stark Trek 4 ‘s development was Star Trek Beyond ’s underperformance at the box office . The film’s underperformance threw the possibility of a fourth Star Trek into question, especially after both Chrises – Pine and Hemsworth – reportedly walked away from the film due to pay cuts. But the recent announcement meant Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and other cast members may return or another possible reboot might be on the horizon. The mystery Star Trek film is set to arrive on June 9, 2023.

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A boy from Greenwood, South Carolina. CinemaBlend Contributor. An animation enthusiast (anime, US and international films, television). Freelance writer, designer and artist. Lover of music (US and international).

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