STAR TREK 4 Names New Writer for ‘Final Chapter’ of Series

For a while there, it certainly seemed like we would never get a Star Trek 4. But in February of 2022, another Star Trek film was announced. Since then, though, we haven’t heard very much about the progress of the potential fourth movie that would reunite Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, and more. And updates, both good and bad, have been slight. Still, it looks like the fourth Star Trek film remains in the works, even though some recent comments about it were not wholly positive. The latest piece of news on it even names a writer for the movie. Here’s everything we know about the progress of a possible Star Trek 4 movie.

The Latest Updates on Star Trek 4: A New Writer Emerges

Variety has revealed that Star Trek 4 officially has a new writer onboard. Steve Yockey, the co-creator of Max’s series The Flight Attendant, will now pen the next (and last) movie in this version of Star Trek‘s world.

Recently, Variety also reported that “the fourth installment of the rebooted ‘Star Trek‘ film series remains in development, with the studio describing it as the ‘final chapter.'” We guess that’s good news. But we’ll wait for something a little more concrete to celebrate properly.

Chris Pine on the Status of Star Trek 4

But if Star Trek 4 is still alive, Captain Kirk doesn’t seem to know. Recently, Chris Pine spoke about Star Trek 4, but he didn’t really have much to say. When chatting to Comicbook.com, Pine was asked about any updates about the movie. Pine responded, “Not that I know of.” And when asked if Pine had potentially read any Star Trek 4 scripts, he responded very plainly with “No, of course not.” Hopefully, he’ll hear about it soon, now that a new writer is involved.

Pine also expressed surprise that a new writer was involved with Star Trek 4. He shared with Business Insider, “I honestly don’t know. There was something in the news of a new writer coming on board. I thought there was already a script, but I guess I was wrong, or they decided to pivot. As it’s always been with “Trek,” I just wait and see.”

While all of that that doesn’t inspire much hope in the status of the movie, Lindsey Anderson Beer, who was initially involved in the writing of the Star Trek 4 script, noted to Collider in September of 2023 that the project was still moving forward. She shared, “It is, it’s still on the tracks. I love that project, and it was another one that I had to hop off of to direct this movie, and that was a hard thing to do. But I love that everybody involved with that project.”

The Initial News About Another Trek Movie

These updates come a few years after the initial burst of news we received about Star Trek 4. According to Deadline‘s February 2022 article, negotiations were underway with the intent to bring back all of the mainstays in the rebooted franchise. That includes getting Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, and Simon Pegg to return for Star Trek 4. It was just one of the many major developments to arise out of the ViacomCBS Investor Day call in 2022. J.J. Abrams appeared on the call, confirming the reports that the fourth movie was a go.

WandaVision‘s Matt Shakman was originally on tap to direct Star Trek 4 but has since bowed out of the project. We will wait and see who may replace him. Josh Friedman and Cameron Squires were slated to write the script at the time. According to Deadline, their version is based on a script from Lindsey Beer and Geneva Robertson-Dworet. Now, of course, Steve Yockey has come aboard. Depending on how it goes, this film might have a lot of credited scribes.

Star Trek 4‘s Plot

Naturally, other details about Star Trek 4 remained under wraps, including the plot. It’s been a turbulent last several years for Star Trek 4. Back in 2018, plans for another film with the cast stalled, reportedly after Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth, who played George Kirk in the 2009 reboot, walked away over pay disputes. But Hemsworth later told Variety he wasn’t completely on board with the script.

Over the last several years, several people, from Noah Hawley to Quentin Tarantino, have tossed around ideas for a Star Trek film. (The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood writer-director really wanted to make the first R-rated Star Trek project.  Mark L. Smith, who wrote The Revenant, even wrote a draft.)

Still, though, many, including John Cho, held out hope that the fourth film in the rebooted franchise would eventually happen and that the Enterprise crew would get back together—save one very important cast member.

Anton Yelchin, who played Chekov in the first three films, sadly passed away in 2016. Abrams confirmed at the time that the role would not be recast. He told the Toronto Sun, “I would say there’s no replacing him. There’s no recasting. I can’t possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better.” We’d imagine this sentiment remains in place. And we can’t wait to see how they pay tribute to the late actor.

Danai Gurira Would Have Starred in 2018’s Version of Star Trek 4

As mentioned, in 2018, Star Trek 4 would have starred Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth, but also another big name. Danai Gurira was in talks to star in the film as well. Gurira hasn’t shared which role she was slated for, but notes, “I was in talks… I don’t know how far along they were, but that was looking to happen. I was quite excited about it, but then that entire film didn’t happen.” And additionally, “I was very excited to do it. She was going to be very different from me in many ways. You know, it’s Star Trek, man. It was cool… It was a very exciting idea and story and I was excited about the character.”

According to TrekMovie.Com, Gurira remains interested in a Star Trek role. We’ll cross our fingers she can appear should Star Trek 4 ever actually happen.

Where We Stand with Star Trek 4 Right Now

For now, Paramount has removed Star Trek 4 from its release schedule. And that’s about all we know for sure. One way or the other, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more Star Trek 4 developments and any glimpse of Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and the rest.

Originally published on June 8, 2022.