The fourth Kelvin timeline Star Trek feature film may be in jeopardy, as negotiations with two of the planned film’s stars, Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth, have broken down with Paramount Studios and Skydance Media.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, both sides have—at this point—walked away from the negotiation table leaving what would have been the next installment of the film series without two of its biggest names. If terms were agreed upon with Pine and Hemsworth, it was expected that negotiations with Pine’s fellow castmembers — Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg and John Cho — would follow.
It was announced that Chris Pine would return to the role of Captain Kirk, which he’s played in the three previous films and Chris Hemsworth to return as his (possibly time-traveling father) George Kirk, a role he last played in the 2009 reboot, following the release of Star Trek Beyond in July of 2016. Hemsworth even went on record last year, saying he discussed the role with J.J. Abrams and that “he has an amazing pitch on the whole thing.”
Money seems to be at the root of the issue. Both Pine and Hemsworth have been part of DC and Marvel blockbuster films (Pine as Steve Trevor in the Wonder Woman franchise and Hemsworth as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) and are said to be asking Paramount to stick to the existing agreements. According to THR’s sources, the duo insists they have deals in place but it’s the studio that’s trying to lower those numbers, citing Star Trek Beyond‘s less-than-expected box office return.
Of course, this puts Paramount in an awkward situation. A situation that leaves them with a few interesting choices: They could recast one or both of the actors and move forward with the original plan. They could take the film franchise in an entirely new direction. Or, attempt to bring the involved parties back to the table in hopes of a deal that would put them both into the intended roles.
J.J. Abrams’ original 2009 Star Trek film brought in $386 million, while 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness clocked in at $467 million, and 2016’s Star Trek Beyond made $343 million, a substantial decline that may have the studio a little gun-shy on expenditures.
Where would you like to see the Star Trek film franchise go from here? Tell us in the comments below.
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Yeti of Chaos
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
I totally dislike this franchise. Wonderful actors, brilliant graphics – and everything else flat. I hate what they did to the appearence of alien races (esp. Romulans and Klingons), the stories are flat and after I tried to find out more about the character of “Jaylah” and only learned the source of her name I decided for myself to not watch any other episode of that.
Star Trek has deserved better.
Robert Shaules
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
The reason why “Beyond” did less than the two previous films is because this whole storyline is deflating. Fans are yawning in the theatre. The franchise needs something big to bring back interest. It’s time to bring in some of the big guns like Captain Archer, Captain Janeway or even Captain Cisco. Maybe Patrick Stewart too, or even other trek alumni like Jeri Ryan or Brent Spiner. How about Spiner back as Dr. Soon?. And on that subject, how about some more ruthless bad guys. How about another run in the Borg, or a face off with the Gemhadhar. Paramount needs to pack this 4th installment with some major gusto if they want a blockbuster
. This whole stupid thing with Kirk and his father is not going to do anything. If Paramount goes with this, the 4th to the installment to the series will do less numbers at the box office than Beyond did. This is like the Lakers playing the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day, and Coach Walton keeping LeBron, Kuzma, Ingrham, Ball and Rondo all on the bench for the whole game. Come on Paramount! Let the big guns play!
Joe D.
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
So sad there isn’t enough money to make a new Trek film.
cre8tvdeb
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
I’m reading comments and thinking, “damn, I guess I’m really that old” because I LOVE this franchise and its cast. My earliest memories are of the OC characters and I grew up worshipping that cast and the reruns until the motion pictures came into play. I think the new franchise is perfectly cast, and have loved all 3 movies/have watched each repeatedly. I guess if fans of younger ST franchises are bored with this, there’s nothing to say. But I’d be truly heartbroken to see it end.
Arron Ratcliff
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Yeah these guys are part of the two biggest franchises in movies now. Low balling their pay is a good way to make sure they don’t come back to Star Trek. Which i wouldn’t mind seeing them walk away. After Into darkness and Beyond i am pretty much soured on the Kelvin timeline movies. I’d much rather watch the new group of series CBS is going to be producing.
Janet McMullen
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Pay them what they’re worth. With all the renewed interest in Star Trek series — Discovery and the new Picard series, this film will have an audience. The films could benefit from ideas as well as action. Don’t let this film franchise fade away.
awatenor
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Please, sell it to Disney!
Clay Volz
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Drop George Kirk and then you have the money to pay Pines. Otherwise fuggedaboutit! I’ll wait for the new Patrick Stewart series
Jackie Knight
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
You are discussing apples versus oranges. Series will always be better than movies due to character development is deeper, more involved in series. All of your so called “big guns” were series actors. Movies only have 1.5 to 2.5 hours to get the job done while series run into hundreds of hours. All of the Star Trek movies with William Shatner were great and I think the new “Kirk” movies are even better. The only way to improve the movies is to do them in series like “A Hobbits Tale” and “Twilight” were done, but when you think about it, that’s exactly what the studio is doing just not as coherently. The different looks of Klingons can be passed off as different species of Klingons like there are different species of humans and if you remember, different Klingon dialects have already been established along with different houses and it would not be unusual for one species to dominate the high council. Don’t forget that the new “Kirk” movies are taking place in the same Star Dates as the old one and therefore never met the Borg, Jem Hadar, discovered Data, or Bajor not to mention lacked photon torpedoes, warp 10, or multiphasic anything. Deeper character development in the new “Kirk” was developed in the old “KirK” series and therefore was not neede in the old “Kirk” movies nor should it be needed in the new “Kirk” movies as old story elements along with some new have already been developed. The only problem with the new “Kirk” movies that I see is that everything happens way too easily, no trial or tribulation, no nailbiting, no hopeless cause all because no time is taken to show the despair in the characters or any constant thwarting of efforts to succeed. BTW, I love the new Spock and the new Kirk is doing a better job than Shatner ever could.
DERWEASEL
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Beyond did less because it was horrible. That was the best story the could come up with?!?!? They were just plain lazy and figured if it is Star Trek, fans will watch it multiple times! Give Pine his asking pay, he’s worth every penny. I love Hemsworth, but he can be recast. No need to pay a big salary for that part. But above all else, give Chris Pine a great story to act in. Stop taking trekkies for granted. You need to actually invest time and money in a good script.