Don’t be expecting a newStar Trekmovie anytime soon. Just as it appeared as though the franchise was gaining new momentum on the big screen with a fresh take byFargoandLegionshowrunnerNoah Hawley, now word comes that Paramount Pictures is re-assessingTrekon the big screen and putting Hawley’s project on the backburner.
Hawley signed on to write and direct a newStar Trekmovie in November 2019, with a take that was teased asa “new beginning”that likely would not include the cast from the last threeTrekmovies that hit the big screen. ButTHRnow reports that Paramount’s newly installed motion picture group presidentEmma Watts(who formerly was at Fox) is taking another look at the slate, and as a result Hawley’sStar Trekmovie is being put on hold for the time-being.
One factor that could be holding Hawley’s film back is a plot that centers around a virus that wipes out vast parts of the known universe. Which, given the current worldwide pandemic situation we’re currently in, doesn’t really feel like the kind of thing a big studio wants to put a blockbuster budget into right now for fear that audiences will be turned off.
There are currently three differentStar Trekmovies in development. Hawley’s film, a sequel toStar Trek Beyond, and a separate original take based on an idea byQuentin Tarantino. Paramount has thus far struggled to make theStar Trekfranchise as big as they want it to be on the big screen.J.J. Abrams’ 2009 reboot was critically well-received and audiences adored it to the tune of $385 million. But the sequelsStar Trek Into DarknessandStar Trek Beyondeach made less than their predecessor, as Paramount watched other major franchises likeStar Wars, Marvel, and DC frequently soar to worldwide grosses over $500 million.
As recently as a couple years ago, aStar Trek 4was in the works that would have involved time travel and foundChris Pine’s Captain Kirk interacting with his father James Kirk, withChris Hemsworthreprising his role.S.J. Clarkson(Jessica Jones) was onboard to direct, but contractual disputes led to Hemsworth falling out, and Paramount then became enamored of Tarantino’s idea and then Hawley’s.
So what’s next? We don’t know. Tarantino dropped out of directing his version as he didn’t want to make it his final film, but could still be involved as a producer should Paramount want to move forward with his idea.
In the meantime,Trekis moving full-speed ahead on the small screen and I’d be surprised if Hawley waited around for Paramount to make its decision. He’s a pretty in-demand storytelling on the big and small screen, and other studios may come calling now that news is out about hisTrekmovie going on ice.
