This announcement is also definite proof that the rumored fourth Kelvin “Star Trek” movie is officially dead. Rumors about a fourth Kelvin “Star Trek” film have been swirling ever since the release of “Star Trek Beyond,” as Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto — who played younger versions of Captain Kirk and Commander Spock — had already signed a contract to appear in a fourth movie. Deadline announced at the time that the fourth Kelvin movie was going to feature a time travel plot wherein Kirk went back in time to interact with his deceased father. Chris Hemsworth briefly appeared as Kirk’s father in the 2009 “Star Trek,” and had become a massive movie star in the ensuing years.
This announcement swirled together with the news that Quentin Tarantino was writing a “Star Trek” script that he claimed was to be bleak and violent. Some speculated that audiences would soon see both movies, although it’s unclear if they would take place in the same continuity. In 2018, Paramount must have felt ambitious, as they claimed to be actively developing three “Star Trek” movies simultaneously. This was after the launch of CBS All Access, now called Paramount+, and the accompanying onslaught of new “Star Trek” TV. In December of 2019, however, Viacom underwent a major merger, and the film and TV arms of “Star Trek” reunited after 14 years apart.
Ever since, various “Star Trek” movies have been in production, including one written by Matt Shakman, one by Noah Hawley, and one by Kalinda Vazquez. As far as we now know, those films have all fallen apart. Haynes’ version seems to want to sidestep casting issues, opting for a new “Star Trek” story.
This is a developing story and we will report with more details as they become available.
