Following a week of speculation and some interesting comments from J.J. Abrams during a press event in LA last week, Paramount officially announced a fourth entry into the “Kelvin Timeline”/rebooted Star Trek film franchise, on Monday.
As we previously reported, Chris Hemsworth, who appeared in STAR TREK (2009) will return as George Kirk to star alongside Chris Pine.
According to the press release, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay will write the screenplay, J.J. Abrams and Lindsey Weber will produce through Bad Robot Productions and David Ellison and Dana Goldberg of Skydance will executive produce the film.
No word yet on if Star Trek Beyond director Justin Lin will return.
For more information, read the full press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
PARAMOUNT PICTURES, SKYDANCE AND BAD ROBOT
ANNOUNCE A FOURTH “STAR TREK” FILM
CHRIS PINE AND CAST TO BE JOINED BY CHRIS HEMSWORTH, WHO RETURNS TO THE BLOCKBUSTER FRANCHISE AS GEORGE KIRK
HOLLYWOOD, CA (July 18, 2016) – Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Bad Robot today announced that the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise will return to the big screen for another voyage.
In the next installment of the epic space adventure, Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk will cross paths with a man he never had a chance to meet, but whose legacy has haunted him since the day he was born: his father.
Chris Hemsworth, who appeared in 2009’s “STAR TREK,” will return to the space saga as George Kirk to star alongside Pine.
The remaining cast is expected to return.
J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay will write the screenplay. J.J. Abrams and Lindsey Weber will produce through Bad Robot Productions. David Ellison and Dana Goldberg of Skydance will executive produce.
“STAR TREK,” the first film in the rebooted franchise based on “Star Trek,” created by Gene Roddenberry, earned more than $380 million worldwide in 2009. The second installment, “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS,” earned more than $460 million worldwide when it opened in May 2013.
The series’ third film, “STAR TREK BEYOND,” is directed by Justin Lin (“FAST & FURIOUS” franchise) and opens in theaters on July 22, 2016.
Hemsworth is currently starring in “GHOSTBUSTERS” alongside Melissa McCarthy, Kristin Wiig and Kate McKinnon, and filming “THOR: RAGNAROK” and “AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR – Part 1” back to back. He is repped by CAA and ROAR.