Director Christopher McQuarrie is very open to directing a new Star Trek movie. Following the box-office disappointment of Star Trek: Nemesis in 2003, the movie series took a break while the studio figured out what to do with the brand. J.J. Abrams came onboard with the clever idea of bringing back the classic Star Trek crew (Kirk, Spock, Bones etc) but splitting them off on a divergent timeline, allowing for new adventures and twists on familiar storylines.
Both Star Trek (2009) and Abrams’ sequel Star Trek Into Darkness were solid hits, but the latter movie was roundly criticized for its lazy plotting and being a blatant retelling of Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. The filmmakers were also called out for somewhat pointlessly pretending Benedict Cumberbatch’s villain wasn’t Khan in the marketing. Audience disappointment in the movie is considered a factor in the underperformance of 2016’s Star Trek Beyond, despite being regarded by critics and fans as the best entry in the rebooted franchise.
Related: Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth may not return for Star Trek 4
There are currently two Star Trek movies in development at Paramount; Star Trek 4, and an untitled instalment that Quentin Tarantino is earmarked to direct. In a new interview with Forbes, Mission: Impossible – Fallout director Christopher McQuarrie has stated he would be very open to working on a new Star Trek, as he’s a big fan of the series.
Star Trek is another one of those doors I mentioned, if that door opened I would gladly go through it. I am a huge fan of Star Trek. I grew up on Star Trek, The Wrath of Khan is one of my favorite movies of all time, but we haven’t really talked about it because we’ve been so busy with the work in front of us.
McQuarrie would be a fantastic addition to the Star Trek franchise, but its unlikely he’ll be approached for at least a few more years. The movie series appears to be in a state of flux, with the studio uncertain over how to proceed next. Before Star Trek Beyond underperformed there were plans for a 4th movie that would pair Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) with his late father George (Chris Hemsworth) for a time-bending adventure, but the two actors have since walked away over pay disputes. The movie has a director in S.J. Clarkson, but there’s been no movement on the project since August.
Tarantino is currently busy with Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and is expected to jump onto his Star Trek movie once he’s wrapped. McQuarrie is also an in-demand screenwriter and is currently working on Top Gun: Maverick with regular collaborator Tom Cruise. McQuarrie has also stated he’d be open to a Man Of Steel sequel if he got the opportunity to work with Henry Cavill again. Since Cavill seems to have departed from the DCEU, however, he may not be so keen on the idea anymore.
