The modern era of Star Trek has been tremendously controversial for fans of the beloved sci-fi franchise. While there is seemingly more Trek content than ever before, from the Chris Pine Kelvin movies to myriad shows and spin-offs, a lot of that content is deemed unsatisfactory.
Paramount's modern direction with the Trek franchise isn't just bugging series veterans, quite the opposite actually. In a new interview, Kelvin Timeline actor Chris Pine publicly criticised the company's direction for the franchise.
Star Trek should be smaller
Speaking to Deadline, Pine explained that Paramount’s attempts to turn Star Trek into a billion dollar IP. The actor explained that smaller-scale is the perfect place for the franchise, a space where the franchise doesn't have to contend with the likes of Marvel or Star Wars.
“We always tried to get the huge international market. It was always about making the billion dollars,” Pine said. “It was always this billion-dollar mark because Marvel was making a billion. Billion, billion, billion. We struggled with it because Star Trek, for whatever reason, its core audience is rabid. Like rabid, as you know. To get these people that are interested that maybe are Star Wars fans or think Star Trek is not cool or whatever, proven to be … we’ve definitely done a good job of it but not the billion-dollar kind of job that they want.”
The actor noted that Star Trek could be the perfect fit for a smaller market. Instead of lavish budgets searching for Marvel-esque returns, Pine believes that Star Trek could do more with smaller budgets instead. He explained:
“I’ve always thought that Star Trek should operate in the zone that is smaller. You know, it’s not a Marvel appeal. It’s like, let’s make the movie for the people that love this group of people, that love this story, that love Star Trek. Let’s make it for them and then, if people want to come to the party, great. But make it for a price and make it, so that if it makes a half-billion dollars, that’s really good.”
Read More: Meta AI scientists are leaving en masse in apparent employee exodus
Chris Pine doesn't have a script for Star Trek 4
Deadline’s interview was conducted after Chris Pine was reported to return for Star Trek 4. While Paramount is seemingly going forwards with a continuation of the Kelvin timeline of Trek films, Pine is seemingly unaware of any concrete plans for the film.
In the interview, Pine explained that there's nothing concrete about the film at the time of writing. He said:
“I’ve not read a script. I met the director, Matt [Shakman], who I really like. I met a producer on it that I really like. I know JJ [Abrams] is involved in it in some respects. I met the new people over at Paramount, which is many different kind of relations. I really liked them. Everybody seems excited about the prospect of it. There’s just simply no — I don’t have a tangible script to look at.”
Nevertheless, Pine explained that he loves Star Trek and its messaging. Additionally, the actor explained that the franchise has “cemented the career” he has today. Despite everything, Pine is Captain Kirk for millions of people, and that isn't changing anytime soon.
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!