The Hollywood Reporter (via SFFGazette.com) has revealed that filmmaker Matt Shakman will no longer direct Star Trek 4 for Paramount Pictures. On Friday, news broke that the WandaVision helmer is in talks to take charge of Fantastic Four for Marvel Studios, and seeing as that's set to be released less than a year after the next Star Trek movie, we expected this announcement to follow.
Star Trek 4 remains a priority for the studio, but it appears the prospect of bringing Marvel's First Family back to the big screen was more enticing than working with the Enterprise crew!
"Matt Shakman is an incredibly talented filmmaker, and we regret the timing didn’t align for him to direct our upcoming Star Trek film," Paramount Pictures said in a statement. "We are grateful for his many contributions, are excited about the creative vision of this next chapter and look forward to bringing it to audiences all around the world."
The next Star Trek movie has been trapped in development hell for years now, making its way through a number of writers and directors. Paramount still hopes to bring back that full reboot cast, though it's unclear whether Thor: Love and Thunder star Chris Hemsworth will also be part of the project after previously being in talks to return as James T. Kirk's father.
Quentin Tarantino and Noah Hawley were both considered for possible Star Trek movies before the studio committed to a fourth instalment with Shakman at the helm.
The most recent version of the screenplay comes from Josh Friedman and Cameron Squires, working from a draft from Lindsey Beer and Geneva Robertson-Dworet. The hunt for a new director has already begun, though it's unclear whether Star Trek 4 will be able to meet its planned December 22, 2023 release date. Unless the studio moves fast, we're guessing it won't.
Also, with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom shifting to December 25, 2023, we'd bet on a change being made.
Stay tuned to SFFGazette.com for more Star Trek updates!