Star Trek’s upcoming prequel movie has a reported setting while the development of Star Trek 4 remains stagnant. 8 years after Star Trek Beyond bowed as the last Star Trek movie to hit theaters, Paramount is moving forward with two new Star Trek films in the works. The one closer to production is an Untitled Star Trek Origin movie directed by Star Wars: Andor’s Toby Haynes, which is reportedly a prequel penned by Seth Grahame-Smith.
The Hollywood Reporter published a story about the sale of Paramount to Skydance Media and what it means for Star Trek, which is called a “crown jewel” franchise owned by the studio, despite Star Trek movies never reaching the box office success of Star Wars films or Marvel Studios blockbusters. THR’s report gives a new detail that Toby Haynes’ Star Trek prequel movie is “rumored to take place largely on Earth,” as well as information about the long-gestating Star Trek 4. Read the quote from THR below:
Paramount has two Trek films in development. One is a prequel focusing on humanity’s early contact with aliens and the formation of the Federation. Andor director Toby Haynes is attached to direct a script by Seth Grahame-Smith that is rumored to take place largely on Earth. The studio sees the project as an entry point for new fans who do not need to know about decades of canon (or keep up with the myriad shows on Paramount+). No cast or release date is set, but it’s in pole position to be the next Trek to hit the big screen.
The other film would star Pine and his crew, including Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldaña, and while it’s said that the cast is game to come back, an announcement in 2016 ultimately went nowhere due to salary disputes, while a 2022 announcement caught its stars by surprise. That iteration eventually lost director Matt Shakman to Marvel’s Fantastic Four . Still, Paramount has hired The Flight Attendant creator Steve Yockey to take the latest stab at a script billed as the final voyage for Pine’s crew.
Star Trek’s Prequel Movie Could Be Problematic For Canon
Here are some of the worries fans have about the Untitled Star Trek Origin movie
Toby Haynes’ Star Trek prequel movie is designed to bring in new and casual fans who aren’t familiar with the vast Star Trek canon, but will that also alienate longtime Trekkers? The origin of Star Trek was essentially the subject of Star Trek: First Contact, which depicted humans’ first warp flight, and led to mankind meeting the Vulcans. The Untitled Star Trek Origin movie appears to be set after these events but before Star Trek: Enterprise, which happens about a century after First Contact, if the report that the prequel movie is set “largely on Earth” is true.
So many questions surround the Star Trek prequel movie.
However, it’s also possible this new Star Trek prequel movie may rewrite canon or further complicate what longtime fans already know as Star Trek’s existing history. There’s also the question of whether a Star Trek movie that’s mostly Earth-set is a “Star Trek.” It’s unclear what exactly this Star Trek prequel is about, and, since it’s meant for new audiences, longtime Trekkers may not have the comfort of seeing any familiar characters or starships considering when the film is apparently set. So many questions surround the Star Trek prequel movie, and it’s a shame Star Trek 4 still isn’t in better shape since seeing Chris Pine’s USS Enterprise cast reunite is a more enticing draw.