Everything you need to know about the long overdue Star Trek 4

Star Trek 4 isn’t even close to being released yet, but we at least know that development is continuing for the much-anticipated film.

In March 2024, it was reported that Steve Yockey – who developed The Flight Attendant – became the latest writer to approach a new draft for the film, which aims to bring back Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldaña.

This is separate from the other two Star Trek films in the works: a prequel film directed by Toby Haynes and the Star Trek: Discovery spin-off Section 31, which finished filming in March 2024.

We’ll probably see both movies before we see Star Trek 4, but at least it should be released one day. But while we wait, here’s everything you need to know about the (potential) return of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek 4.

Is Star Trek 4 Confirmed?

As far as we know, Star Trek 4 is definitely happening, despite the fact that we’re approaching eight years since the last film, Star Trek Beyond, was released.

The long-gestating film finally seemed to be on track in February 2022, when it was announced that JJ Abrams was returning to produce with Matt Shakman directing, much to the surprise of the cast as much as the fans.

Unfortunately, Shakman left the film in August 2022 to direct Fantastic Four for Marvel. And then, in September 2022, Paramount pulled the film from its release schedule entirely.

In March 2023, JJ Abrams – who produced all three films in the reboot trilogy and directed two of them – said that a search for a director was underway.

“I will say this is the first time (since the original reboot) that we’ve had a story that feels as compelling as the first one,” he told Esquire. Of course, Pine also called the franchise “cursed,” so it depends on how hopeful you feel like being.

We haven’t heard anything since then about a potential director for the film, but at least we know that Star Trek 4 is in active development at Paramount, given that there’s now a new writer on board.

Star Trek 4 Potential Release Date: When Can We Expect Star Trek 4?

Star Trek 4 was once slated to hit theaters on December 22, 2023.

Of course, that never happened, and Star Trek 4 doesn’t have a confirmed release date since May 2024. Nor are there any rumors of when it might return to the schedule.

In June 2022, before Shakman left the project, Paramount head Brian Robbins confirmed that development on the fourth Star Trek was underway. “We’re deep into this with JJ Abrams and we feel like we’re getting close to the starting line and we’re excited about where we’re going creatively,” he said.

However, in November 2022, star Zachary Quinto told The Independent: “Right now I honestly have very little attachment to it.

“We’d all like to go back and do another movie, but I’ve learned to only get excited about things that I know are actually real. And there’s nothing about a fourth Star Trek movie that feels real right now.”

Still, other people involved seem confident in the project moving forward, and hopefully the addition of a new writer is a positive step.

All we can do is watch this space.

Star Trek 4 Cast: Who Will Be In Star Trek 4?

Even when Star Trek 4 was originally released in December 2023, it wasn’t 100% confirmed that the reboot cast would return.

That said, during his June 2022 announcement, Robbins said he knew audiences “wanted this cast in this movie” — referring to the reboot’s cast.

So if it ever comes to fruition, we’d be surprised if it were with a brand new cast. You can probably expect the return of Chris Pine (Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldaña (Uhura), Karl Urban (Bones), John Cho (Sulu) and Simon Pegg (Scotty).

Urban certainly seems eager for a comeback, though he also revealed in March 2022 that, like Pine, he had yet to read a script. “I’d love to work with those guys again; so much fun, the best hang out. We’ll see,” he enthused.

It all feels very much up in the air, according to Quinto’s quotes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t hope.

The original plan for the fourth film was to have a timely adventure where Chris Pine’s James T Kirk somehow joins forces with his long-dead father, played by Chris Hemsworth.

Hemsworth spoke in May 2019 about why he walked away from the film, saying, “I didn’t feel like I had found a reason to revisit it yet. I didn’t want to be disappointed with what I was going to bring. table.”

It’s unclear if this new version of Star Trek 4 plans to bring Hemsworth back or if he’s gone in a completely new direction, but Hemsworth seems open to a return for the fourth film.

In October 2022, Rings of Power bosses JD Payne and Patrick McKay teased more about their original idea for the fourth film. “The idea was that, through some cosmic quirk in the Star Trek world, they were the same age,” McKay explained.

We also don’t know yet if the new film will recast Pavel Chekov following Anton Yelchin’s tragic death in 2016. “It’s bittersweet because we’re gathering for the fourth time and one of us is no longer with us.” Saldaña said in March 2022.

“But we honestly feel that bringing back and keeping the Star Trek family together is a way to really keep it alive in our thoughts and hearts.”

Star Trek 4 Plot: What will happen in Star Trek 4?

We currently have no confirmed plot details for the fourth film, and it’s unclear how closely it will follow on from the end of Star Trek Beyond.

The third film ended with Kirk turning down a promotion to vice admiral and remaining captain of the USS Enterprise. Spock also chose to remain in Starfleet and rekindled his romance with Uhura.

As the film ends, they are all set to continue their mission on a brand new USS Enterprise after the previous one was destroyed during the events of the film.

It means the fourth movie could go anywhere. But for Pine, he thinks that whatever the plot is, it shouldn’t try to compete with Marvel.

“I’ve always thought that Star Trek should operate in the area that is smaller. You know, it’s not a Marvel call. It’s like we’re making the movie for the people who love this group of people, who love this story, that they love Star Trek,” he said.

“Let’s make them 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 they make half a billion dollars, that’s great.”

Star Trek 4 Trailer: Any footage of Star Trek 4 yet?

You’re joking right? We’d love to show off ourselves and show you a trailer for Star Trek 4 from the future, but we’re stuck in the Mirror Universe.

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