The Star Trek franchise has been around for over 50 years and has captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. With its iconic characters, epic space battles, and exploration of new worlds, it’s no wonder that Star Trek has become a cultural phenomenon.
However, with the release of Star Trek Beyond in 2016, many fans have been wondering if this is the last we will see of the Star Trek movies. Let’s take a closer look at the future of the franchise.
Star Trek Beyond: A Critical and Commercial Success
Released in July 2016, Star Trek Beyond was directed by Justin Lin and starred Chris Pine as Captain Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, and Karl Urban as Dr. McCoy. The movie was well-received by both critics and audiences alike, with an approval rating of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes. It also grossed over $343 million at the box office worldwide.
The Future of Star Trek on the Big Screen
Despite the success of Star Trek Beyond, there has been no official announcement regarding a fourth movie in the franchise. In fact, there have been conflicting reports about its future.
In January 2019, it was reported that S.J. Clarkson would be directing a new Star Trek movie featuring Chris Hemsworth as George Kirk (Captain Kirk’s father). However, in August 2019, it was announced that Clarkson had left the project due to scheduling conflicts.
Since then, there have been rumors that Quentin Tarantino may direct a Star Trek movie. Tarantino has expressed his love for the franchise in interviews and reportedly pitched an R-rated idea to J. Abrams (producer of the recent Star Trek films). However, there has been no confirmation about whether this project will move forward.
The Future of Star Trek on TV
While there may be uncertainty about the future of Star Trek on the big screen, the franchise is thriving on TV. In 2017, Star Trek: Discovery premiered on CBS All Access and has been renewed for a fourth season. The show has received critical acclaim and has been praised for its diverse cast and progressive storylines.
In addition to Discovery, there are several other Star Trek shows in development. These include:
- Star Trek: Picard – A series that follows Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) after his retirement from Starfleet.
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – A show that focuses on Captain Pike (Anson Mount), Spock (Ethan Peck), and Number One (Rebecca Romijn) aboard the USS Enterprise.
- Star Trek: Lower Decks – An animated series that explores the lives of lower-ranking officers aboard a starship.
In Conclusion
While there may be uncertainty about the future of Star Trek on the big screen, fans can take comfort in knowing that there is plenty of new content coming to TV. With several new shows in development, it’s clear that Star Trek will continue to boldly go where no one has gone before.
