While there are those who feel that Paramount’s rebooted Star Trek film franchise is not solely dependent on Chris Pine, you have to admit that it just wouldn’t be the same without him. As the beating heart of the series, we’d be pretty surprised if the studio made a fourth installment without their Captain Kirk, but that’s now the prospect that they’re facing given that he’s walked away from the project over a pay dispute.
Ditto for Chris Hemsworth, who joined his fellow Chris in exiting the next Trek film after Paramount refused to pay the actors what they wanted. That’s not to say things have ground to a halt, though; the studio is clearly still exploring a possible fourth movie in the Kelvin timeline, they’re just not ready to share any firm details about what comes next for the USS Enterprise crew – just ask John Cho.
Besides, it’s not over yet, as both Chrises can still find a way back to Star Trek 4 if they’re able to reach an agreement with Paramount, and according to Karl Urban, that’s exactly what’ll happen. Speaking at a Q&A panel over the weekend, the actor, who plays Bones, shared the following:
Hopefully, we get back for another movie, or two of them. We are just sort of waiting on negotiations. I’m confident we will.
It’s an interesting one. The last film did pretty well. I think it made about 320 or 350 or 380 globally. But still, for a movie that cost what it cost to make, the profit margins aren’t that great. Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pine subsequently have done big movies, and their quotes have gone up, but I am pretty confident that Paramount and those guys, they will figure it out. Because I know Chris. We were all in touch recently and everybody wants to do it and make it happen. So, if Paramount is willing there will be a way to make it happen. So, fingers crossed.
When asked for the current status of the project, Urban confirmed that a script’s in place, with plans to shoot in the UK. Though everything seems to hinge on what happens with Hemsworth and Pine.
The status is they have a script and brought on a director, S.J. Clarkson. I have not had the pleasure [to meet her] yet, but others have. I just haven’t been in the vicinity. They plan to shoot in the UK, which is where she’s based. J.J. is also over there shooting that other space franchise. At the moment. I believe the status of the project is really hinging on the availability and the contract negotiations of the two Chrises.
So, it would seem that things are still pretty up in the air at the moment for Star Trek 4, but with Discovery‘s second season quickly approaching, Trekkies can at least look forward to being acquainted with a totally new version of Spock.