Whether Star Trek 4 is actually going to happen remains a mystery.
There have been so many ups and downs with this movie that it’s hard to imagine it’s ever actually going to take place. Right now, there’ s no director, though J.J. Abrams is rumored to be looking for one. If that is actually the case, it’s unfathomable why after he’s gotten an offer from the man who knows Star Trek in and out—Jonathan Frakes.
By now, Frakes would have already had this wheel turning, and we would, at the very least, know when the movie would be released. Every Star Trek fan knows what Frakes brings to Star Trek. And he did make an offer to Abrams who replied with a cryptic message, telling the actor/director that he “certainly was experienced.”
In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Frakes revealed that he remains interested in directing the movie and that he loves that cast. So here’s a big question: why hasn’t Abrams brought him on board?
If Star Trek 4 is actually going to happen, it needs a director who can make it happen.
Star Trek actors who’ve worked with Frakes as a director have nothing but good things to say about his directing style, and honestly, the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. Frakes, who just finished up a ten-episode run as Captain Riker on Star Trek: Picard, is on top of his game when it comes to…well…just about everything that has to do with the Star Trek franchise. In fact, his return as an actor in this season’s Picard revealed he hasn’t left any of his roots behind even though he hasn’t been acting as much.
If Paramount Studios is serious about making another movie in the Kelvin timeline, something needs to happen and fast. As it is, Paramount is already moving forward with straight to Paramount+ movies, which would be an incredibly expensive option for this fourth Star Trek. Still, once Paramount focuses its attention on the made-for-streaming movies, less attention will be paid for Star Trek 4, even less than what we’ve seen so far.
The cast are still interested in doing the movie. Jonathan Frakes is interested in directing, and there have been hints that there’s a “compelling story” already waiting. So why is J.J. Abrams still looking for a director?