Actor Chris Pine has yet to see a script for Star Trek 4, but says he is excited for it. Pine has played a rebooted version of Captain James T. Kirk in what is now known as the Kelvin timeline, portraying the character in three films in the new feature series thus far. Pine's run started with 2009's Star Trek, continuing with 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness, and most recently with 2016's Star Trek Beyond. In addition to Pine, the franchise sports a cast that includes Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, and John Chu, amongst others.
Star Trek Beyond had a weaker box office than the previous entries, causing Paramount to pause the feature film franchise in an attempt to find a better angle to proceed. Since that time, the property has changed creative hands multiple times, initially with Legion's Noah Hawley at the helm, then briefly with Quentin Tarantino proposing a wild take on the property, eventually settling with WandaVision creator Matt Shakman. Recently, it was announced that the cast was set to return for Shakman's film, although that may have jumped the gun, according to Pine.
While doing press for his latest film, All The Old Knives, Pine commented on the news (via Variety) that the cast was all set to return, jovially saying that none of them had been informed about the announcement. "We’re usually the last people to find out, but I do know we’re all excited," said Pine, who clarifies that they have yet to see a script for the new film, saying, "Whenever they want to send us a script, we’re ready for it." When asked about the story, Pine said that he didn't know "anything about it." However, Pine was then asked if he trusted the studio and filmmakers to sign on to Star Trek 4 without a script, saying, "I don’t trust anybody, but I’m excited. I love the story. I love Star Trek. I love my people."
In the interim since Star Trek Beyond, Pine has kept very busy with new projects, all the while remaining open to a return as Kirk. The actor has since portrayed Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984, as well as taking the lead in films like Outlaw King and A Wrinkle in Time. Pine has a busy year in 2022, with the upcoming All The Old Knives for Prime Video, the action-thriller The Contractor with Ben Foster and Kiefer Sutherland, as well as a new adaptation of the famed RPG, Dungeons and Dragons.
While the feature film side of Star Trek has come a grinding halt, the TV side of the property has exploded and continued to expand more and more, with shows focusing on various characters from various timelines, as well as a number of animated shows. It's perplexing, however, that it's taken so long for the feature franchise to drum something up in over six years, which has prompted many to feel it's too late for the Kelvin timeline. However, it seems that audiences were not done with Pine and the rest of the cast, as Paramount conducted market research that showed fans wanted them back for more, which was enough to greenlight a new film. Now, with fan support, a dedicated director and a willing cast, it's time to get Star Trek 4 behind cameras and get back to the box office frontier.
Source: Variety