Star Trek's origin film officially announced; Here's everything we know so far

Star Trek's origin film has formally been announced by Paramount Pictures. The film, which will apparently tell the story of the Federations' founding and explore more of the franchise's early depths, is set for a 2025 release date. More than likely in the third or fourth quarter (summer or winter).

This film is not to be confused with Chris Pine's Star Trek 4, which continues to remain in a gestation period, though there is a concerted effort to get the film out now more than ever. This film is a prequel of sorts, but while it's being suggested it's a prequel for the main timeline, it may be more in line with the Kelvin Timeline.

We've heard different reports on the matter, but this does seem to be a prequel to the 2009 film, though this is all speculation until more information comes out. It may be a film that seeks to combine the two series into a singular point in time, but that's anyone's guess at this time and if that's the case, it won't predate the adventures of Jonathan Archer.

That's speculation; what do we know? Until something changes, we know that this is not a remake of a prior Star Trek story, like Pine's Star Trek, aka the Kelvin Timeline, was. This is supposedly a brand new, and original story. Even if it's set in the Kelvin Timeline, it'll still be its own story, not borrowing elements from a previously established Star Trek plot.

We know that Star Wars: Andor writer Toby Haynes is going to direct the project, with Seth Grahame-Smith of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter will write the script. We also know that there is no formal title yet for the project, and no cast announced just yet.

And while there is no release date beyond 2025, we do know that the project will begin in earnest soon, at some point in 2024. An exact time period has not yet been announced.