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The sequel to the movie reboot of Star Trek, helmed by J.J. Abram's production company Bad Robot, has been wiped from Paramount's upcoming film schedule. It had been originally scheduled to release in theatres on December 22. Variety reports that what would be the fourth entry for Chris Pine's Kirk is no longer a feature of Paramount's forthcoming movie slate, as the sequel project has been mired in troubles. This includes the departure of Matt Shakman who had been attached to direct. Shakman was wooed by Marvel Studios to be in charge of the Fantastic Four reboot, as the Wandavision director returns to MCU duties, following the exit of Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts who left the project in April. Chris Pine, meanwhile, said this summer that he'd be interested in coming back to the project, but didn't seem totally enthused.
Shakman had been linked up with the Star Trek sequel last summer. Then, in February of this year, Abrams revealed that a new Star Trek movie would be "shooting by the end of the year" and would include the "original cast" dyring the Paramount Global investors day presentation.
However, Variety reports that actors Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), and other stars had not even officially signed up for the project when Abrams announced the news at the presentation. This meant Paramount had little time to draw up contracts for the cast and secure their involvement.
As the Stark Trek sequel is no longer on Paramount's schedule, this leaves the project in limbo. The film franchise, which has been one of the most successful for Paramount, had been seeing diminishing returns as the last entry, 2016's Star Trek Beyond, earned $343.5 million in global box office. The Justin Lin directed entry was the lowest grossing of the 'Trek' reboots from Abrams' Bad Robot.
While movie Trek may be languishing, the franchise is enjoying a renaissance on the smaller screen as the likes of Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek: Prodigy, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds lights up streamers and helping to sell Paramount Plus. Fans of Chris Pine's Kirk, however, may have to clutch at straws for the time being.