Will James Kirk take over for Chris Pike on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?

Star Trek fans are worried James Kirk will take over for Chris Pike on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

James Kirk was not supposed to be as well received as he was when he joined Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Despite getting three versions of the iconic captain, all played by Paul Wesley, fans have taken to the character. They’ve taken to him a lot, and some are even thinking about long-term options with him.

The only problem is, Anson Mount’s portrayal of Christoper Pike has been even more well-received, to the point that some fans want to see Kirk take the chair from Pike eventually. Wesley though, is here to reassure fans that isn’t going to happen.

Wesley spoke to Cinemablend’s Mike Joest and revealed that he has no interest in supplanting Mount’s pike, saying;

"First of all, Strange New Worlds is such a successful series. It’s so beloved, and people love it so much. I don’t think fans need to worry about some takeover [by me]. I think we’re just paying homage to the original series and the genesis of those relationships, and I really don’t think fans need to have any concerns. I think it’s more [that] they should really look at it with nostalgia and, frankly, with warmth."

Paul Wesley would love to play James Kirk in a sequel series

Wesley may not want to take over Strange New Worlds, but he does have his eyes set on the original series. In the same interview, Wesley revealed that he would absolutely love to take over as the lead in a TOS-inspired series, saying;

"With that said, if anybody called me and whenever Strange New Worlds had its run, things were over, and they said, ‘Hey, we’re gonna do a version of TOS,’ I’d jump on a heartbeat. Of course, I would. I’m having such a blast playing this character. I love it."

If the folks at Paramount wanted to continue the story that The Original Series was starting, then they easily could. There’s a partial road map already there with the aborted sequel series Star Trek: Phase II.

So there is room for a Wesley-led Star Trek show.