The current state of the “Star Trek” film series is a bit difficult to pin down. With what seemed to be the logical next film in the series, “Star Trek 4,” directed by SJ Clarkson, canceled, the future seemed to be up in the air. But then Noah Hawley was brought in to write and direct a new ‘Trek’ and everything seemed back on track. Then you have Simon Pegg saying that Hawley’s film isn’t “Star Trek 4,” but instead, something different, leaving fans wondering what the hell is going on.
Well, in a new interview with Deadline, Hawley speaks about his upcoming work on ‘Trek’ and while he doesn’t give any specifics, it does appear that the filmmaker isn’t working on a traditional sequel. When asked about rumors that there might be a new cast for his upcoming “Star Trek” film, the filmmaker didn’t do much to deny the speculation.
“I have my own take on ‘Star Trek,’” said Hawley. “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.”
He continued, “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.”
Now, in 2020, it’s important to know that “Star Trek” isn’t just a film series nowadays. Over on CBS All Access, Alex Kurtzman has been building his own little universe of ‘Trek’ properties that have been doing pretty well. But according to Hawley, there’s no Paramount mandate saying that his new film has to connect with those TV series.
“I have my own story and want to make sure as I did with ‘Fargo’ and ‘Legion’ that I’m respectful to the underlying material,” said the filmmaker. “That I’m not unintentionally changing things that people love or feel passionate about. So, it’s important to do that research as I go.”
Even though fans are anxiously awaiting word on what Hawley’s interpretation of “Star Trek” is going to look like, it does appear that Pegg’s comments aren’t completely unfounded. Whatever Hawley is cooking up, it doesn’t appear that it’s anything like what we were originally expecting. And honestly, that’s pretty damn exciting.