After a wobbly couple of years, Star Trek is in rude health right now.
The Kelvin Universe big screen movies have, on the whole, been well-received by audiences, Star Trek: Discovery is about to launch into what looks like a dynamic second season, CBS have promised to fund multiple new Trek TV projects and Quentin Tarantino’s tantalizing entry into the franchise will probably kick into high gear after he’s done with Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. And then there’s the as yet untitled Star Trek 4, which appears to be having some minor production woes.
In an interview with HeyUGuys, Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty in the series, said the following:
“As far as I know, we are pushing ahead. We are in prep, I think, for it, but then there’s so much to do before we start shooting, like making sure everybody is available.”
Making sure the star-studded nu-Trek cast are all available sounds like a diary management nightmare right now. Just off the top of my head their Captain Kirk, Chris Pine is currently shooting Wonder Woman 1984, with reshoots expected at some point in 2019. And their Uhuru, Zoe Saldana is tied up with playing Gamora in the MCU (though filming on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 may be delayed after James Gunn’s firing).
It’d be a pity if Trek 4 were to get delayed, as what we know about it so far sounds pretty interesting. Advance word is that the pic will somehow resurrect Chris Hemsworth’s George Kirk, last seen dying in the opening scene of 2009’s Star Trek. We’re apparently also set to see a female villain and new female hero, one of which may be played by Black Panther and The Walking Dead‘s Danai Gurira. I don’t know about you, but I’m always down for more Hemsworth in my movies and watching Chris Pine’s Kirk get bossed around by his cool dad as they battle a female baddie sounds like a fun time at the theater.
Right now, Star Trek 4 doesn’t have a release date, but I’d imagine Paramount’s hoping to get it in the can during 2019 with it hitting cinemas in summer 2020. As always, watch this space for more.