Simon Pegg Says The Future of The STAR TREK Film Franchise Remains Uncertain

Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion) is the latest writer and director that was brought on to develop the next Star Trek film, but there’s been no information on what the status of the project currently is.

Franchise star Simon Pegg recently talked to Collider and was asked about the future of the franchise, and he explains that he’s pretty much in the dark as the rest of us. But, he says the cast would jump at the chance to make another when the studio is ready:

“We’re all still in contact, we were emailing with each other the other day, just checking in, ‘how are we,’ and stuff. But it’s not like any of us have been banging on the door at Paramount saying, ‘Hey, when are we doing this?’ If they say, ‘We’d like to do another movie,’ I’m sure we’ll all jump at the chance. I miss those guys, and I love making those films. But I just don’t know. Noah Hawley’s project has been mentioned, and maybe that will happen. I don’t know anything about that. So yeah, I’m as in the dark as everyone else, I’m in the same boat as you guys.

“The fact is, the appeal of Star Trek is slightly more niche than the appeal of, say, the Marvel movies, which make huge amounts of money, and have this really, really broad appeal and they do very well. I think Star Trek is just a little bit more niche, so it isn’t gonna hit those kind of numbers. So yes, the obvious thing to do would be to not go for that massive spectacle, go for something a little bit more restrained in the vein of the original series. Yes, that would be a brilliant thing to do, and I’m sure it probably has been discussed… You specialize a little bit more.”

Hawley offered a little tease of what to expect a few months ago. He talked about where his head is at with the project and revealed that he would begin work on the film as soon as Fargo Season 4 has finished. Hawley also confirmed that he already has his own vision of the film. This will be his own take on Star Trek, and it sounds like he will take it back to the traditional version of the franchise.

“I have my own take on Star Trek and going back to what I loved about the series Next Generation, when a lot of franchises focus on ‘might makes right’, Star Trek is about exploration and humanity at its best, and diversity and creative problem solving. There’s nothing better than that moment when William Shatner puts on his reading glasses and lowers Khan’s shields. It doesn’t cost anything. But it’s that triumphant feeling about smarting your enemy. For me it’s about to getting to those elements of the show. I don’t necessarily find action in and of itself interesting unless it’s story. So, it’s early days, I’m still talking with Paramount and I have a take and I gotta write a script.”

The director went on to say that he plans on telling his “own story” and that he will be “respectful to the underlying material.” But, he doesn’t plan on “changing things that people love or feel passionate about.”

As far as if the new film will feature a whole new cast or not, the filmmaker explained, “It’s early days. I don’t know. But new characters often involve new cast.”

I’ve been looking forward to seeing what Hawley is planning for this next film, so hopefully, we get some solid information soon.