Chris Pine says Star Trek franchise "feels like it's cursed"

Star Trek's Chris Pine has spoken out about the future of the franchise, deeming it "cursed".

The actor has climbed aboard the USS Enterprise in the role of Captain Kirk since 2009, in which he starred in the JJ Abrams reboot of the franchise.

He reprised his role for the second and third instalments – 2013 release Star Trek: Into the Darkness and 2016's Star Trek: Beyond – but has aired his doubts over the future of the intergalactic franchise, having waited so long for the next movie.

"After the last one came out and didn't do the $1 billion that everyone wanted it to do, and then Anton (Yelchin) passed away, I don't know," Pine told Esquire. "It just... feels like it's cursed."

Photo credit: Kimberley French//Paramount

When asked about details of a fourth film, Pine said he didn't know anything and that "actors are usually the last people to find out anything" in the world of Star Trek.

"I know costume designers that have read scripts before the actors. I would say it's frustrating," Pine added. "It doesn't really foster the greatest sense of partnership, but it's how it's always been. I love the character. I love the people. I love the franchise. But to try to change the system in which things are created – I just can't do it. I don't have the energy."

A fourth Star Trek film originally looked on track in February 2022 after it was announced JJ Abrams would be producing the project later that year, with Matt Shakman directing.

Jerod Harris//Getty Images

However, Shakman left the project in August of the same year to direct Marvel's Fantastic Four film, with the movie being removed from the Paramount release calendar in September 2022.

Abrams addressed the fourth film in a Paramount Investors Day presentation last year, saying: "It's the first time [since the original reboot] that we have a story that feels as compelling as the first one (via Esquire)."

Shakman gave an additional update on the project earlier this year speaking to Collider, saying he believed Paramount was still developing the project.

Credit: Paramount+

Audible Star Trek: Picard: No Man's Land: An Original Audio Drama

Now 13% Off

£7 at Amazon

Credit: Paramount/Simon & Schuster Audio

Pocket Books/Star Trek Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours by David Mack

£13 at Amazon

Credit: Pocket Books/Star Trek

Pocket Books/Star Trek Star Trek: Discovery: Drastic Measures by Dayton Ward

Now 10% Off

£10 at Amazon

Credit: Pocket Books/Star Trek

Eaglemoss Publications Ltd Star Trek: Designing Starships Volume 4 – Discovery

£29 at Amazon

Credit: Eaglemoss Publications Ltd

Titan Books Ltd Star Trek Discovery: The Official Collector's Edition

£15 at Amazon

Credit: Titan Magazines

IDW Publishing Star Trek: Discovery - Aftermath by Kirsten Beyer, Mike Johnson and Tony Shasteen

Now 22% Off

£12 at Amazon

Credit: IDW Publishing

Rebecca Sayce

Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy

Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specialises in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.

Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.