Quentin Tarantino has confirmed that the script for his proposed Star Trek film is completed. With Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on the horizon, the eclectic director took time to ensure fans that his first sci-fi film hasn't died.
Tarantino was first rumored to be involved with a Star Trek film in late 2017. Since then, there's been a heavy amount of back-and-forth speculation from many surrounding the property, but little in the way of official news. It would purportedly be set in the same universe as J.J. Abrams' rebooted films, the Kelvin Timeline, with much of the same cast as those films. The news of a potential Tarantino Star Trek was met with equal amounts of support and skepticism that was fueled by a general lack of official information.
During an interview with Slash Film, Tarantino revealed that his long-rumored Star Trek film is a "very big" possibility and will hopefully be moving ahead soon. According to Tarantino, there's a finished draft of the script and he's been talking with "those guys" about the story and making the film a reality. Tarantino didn't clarify whether "those guys" referred to Abrams, the director of the first two films in the rebooted film series and producer of all three; Paramount Pictures, the films' distributor; or some other party entirely. He did, however, indicate that the project might move forward after he's completely done with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
The Tarantino Star Trek was initially scheduled to come after a sequel to Star Trek Beyond. With Star Trek Beyond underperforming at the box office, and following Star Trek Into Darkness's cold critical reception, the future of the rebooted film series looks bleak. Whether on not that will mean that the Tarantino-helmed installment will move ahead to take its place or be cancelled outright is unclear at this point. Complicating matters further is whether or not contract negotiations with certain people will hold up the process of getting the entire cast back. Despite all that, Tarantino seems confident that his Star Trek will come to pass.
As a director known for his quotable if exaggerated dialogue and iconic over-the-top characters, many have been waiting to see exactly what kind of take Tarantino would have for Star Trek. Tarantino didn't specify how much of the script was his own work, but, given his auteur sensibilities, he likely had a heavy hand in crafting the plot. He has already revealed a desire for an R-rated Star Trek, and that may work to reinvigorate the franchise. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood marks a return to form for Tarantino, hearkening back to his career-building California crime films like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. Going straight from that to one of the most beloved, hardcore science fiction franchises of all time will be an interesting switch for the legendary director. For now, the fact that Tarantino's Star Trek film is still alive is reason enough to be excited.
Source: Slash Film