Unraveling the Mystery: Are There New Star Trek Movies in the Works?

The excitement around new Star Trek movies often leads to speculation and misinformation. From Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth to Quentin Tarantino, various attempts have been made to bring new stories to the big screen. However, the reality is far from what one might expect. Let's dive into the current status and missteps in the Star Trek movie production pipeline.

The Current State of Star Trek Films

Since 2009, there have been 10 official Star Trek films, with at least 9.5 of them being particularly notable. The films have evolved, with different lead characters such as Captain Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard taking the spotlight, showcasing the vastness and complexity of the Star Trek universe. Notable entries include:

Star Trek: The Motion Picture Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Star Trek V: The Final Frontier Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Star Trek: Generations, in which Kirk and Picard shared the lead Star Trek (2009) Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Behind the Scenes: The Missteps and Challenges

Despite the success of these films, numerous attempts to continue the franchise have been for naught. Two major entities, Bad Robot Productions and Secret Hideout, have tried to bring new Star Trek projects to life, but their efforts have largely been stymied by various challenges:

Chris Pine, Chris Hemsworth, and Quentin Tarantino

Bad Robot, a production company known for creating popular films like Star Trek Beyond and Star Trek Into Darkness, was initially optimistic about continuing the Star Trek franchise. The company attempted to create a fourth film with Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth, two of the lead actors from the 2009 reboot. However, the poor box office performance of Star Trek Beyond and In Darkness made it difficult to attract investors. In a bid to retain contracts and bring investors on board, both Chris’s were approached with the idea of accepting major pay cuts to reprise their roles. Both actors, however, walked away, showing no inclination to return.

Quentin Tarantino

Tarantino was another Hollywood heavyweight considered for a direct role in the Star Trek universe. The script for what was reportedly a mini-movie called Secret Hideout was in development. However, the project faced significant issues. Bad Robot, the production company that had invested heavily in the last couple of Star Trek films, had a dinner discussion with Tarantino regarding the “rules” and “lineline” of the new Trek films. JJ Abrams, the creator and executive producer of the current Star Trek series on CBS, advised Tarantino to just make the film his way because the rules didn’t matter. Tarantino, known for his meticulous writing and storytelling, found this advice lacking and walked away from the project.

Paramount’s Position

Secret Hideout, the entity aiming to bring a new Discovery film to light, was met with a strong “no” from Paramount. The head of Paramount at the time, now the CEO of ViacomCBS, made it clear that they were not interested in such a project. This position is consistent given Paramount’s ownership of Secret Hideout through Bad Robot Productions, which is owned by JJ Abrams.

The Bottom Line: No New Star Trek Movie on the Horizon

The current landscape of the Star Trek franchise is somewhat bleak when it comes to new movie projects. Despite the many attempts by various stakeholders, none have resulted in a greenlighted film. The challenge lies in aligning the creative vision of talented filmmakers with the interests of the studio, which owns the rights to the Star Trek universe.

For now, fans will have to continue enjoying the existing content until any new developments can potentially be confirmed.