The next big summer blockbuster on everyone’s list isStar Trek Beyond, which is due out in theaters everywhere next week, after it makes its world premiere at San Diego Comic Con on July 20. That being the case, Paramount is currently pushing the movie and the creative team behind it has been making the rounds doing press for it, including producerJ.J. Abrams. According toAbrams, plans are already underway for a fourth installment of the currentStar Trek franchise, even thoughBeyondhas yet to be released.
Collideris reporting thatAbrams, who directed the first two installments of the rebootedStar Trek, already has plans forStar Trek 4in the works. The news came from a press conference forStar Trek BeyondthatAbramstook part in, and he seemed very optimistic about the possibility for aStar Trek 4. Here is what he had to say.
““Yes, and there’s something that hopefully we’re figuratively minutes away from talking about. The answer is 100% yes, and it’s incredibly exciting.”
It may seem a bit forward to already be discussing a fourthStar Trekinstallment when most people haven’t even seenStar Trek Beyondyet, but Paramount clearly has confidence in the movie, as they probably should. Early reactions to the third installment, directed byJustin Linthis time around, have been very positive. Not to mention that the previous entries in this newJ.J. Abramsreboot have made an awful lot of money at the box office, and have been generally well received by critics. Paramount will probably wait until at least after the opening weekend numbers and reviews come in to give a green light to the project, but it seems very likely at this point, especially givenAbramsenthusiasm.
As for whatStar Trek 4could possibly be about? Well, we don’t know a whole lot, especially considering we don’t know what happens inStar Trek Beyondyet, but another report gives us a clue as to whatAbramshas in mind. ReporterScott Mantztook to his personal Twitter account today after sitting down withAbarmsto give us a juicy bit aboutStar Trek 4. According to his Tweet, it looks like we may be seeingChris Hemsworthreturn to the franchise, after his brief but memorable part in the 2009Star Trek.
“BREAKING!! #JJAbrams confirms to me that a 4th #StarTrek movie will bring together #ChrisPine & #ChrisHemsworth!!”
In the opening sequence ofJ.J. AbramsfirstStar Trek movie,HemsworthplaysGeorge Kick, father ofChris Pine’sJames T. Kirk.Hemsworthis killed during a Romulan attack on his ship, the U.S.S. Kelvin, as he heroically stays behind in order to save as many of his crew members as possible. That being the case, they would definitely have to play with time travel, or something of the like, in order to bring backGeorge Kirk. But in the world ofStar Trekthat isn’t at all a far reach. Not to mention thatHemsworthhas become a much bigger star since he first played the part in 2009, so Paramount would likely be motivated to get him on board, if they could work it out in the story.
Abramshad to leave the director’s chair forStar Trek Beyond, because he was quite busy makingStar Wars: The Force Awakens, which seemed like it panned out reasonably well for him. It is possible that he could step back in if he wanted to, being that his schedule, though still crazy, is free enough for him to do it. But it is also very possible that ifBeyonddoes well and is well received thatJustin Lincould just as likely be back for round two. We will just have to wait and see, but the prospect is indeed exciting.Star Trek 3opens in theaters on July 22.
