from Drew Deitch
| Published
Star Trek 4 is the kind of film that always seems to be about to return in the course of development. Over the years, we’ll continue to hear occasional updates or new changes in creative direction, and fans will once again get excited at the prospect of another Star Trek a film that will close the reboot universe and end things on a happy note.
But with almost ten years between the last film and this proposed final entry, it’s time to acknowledge that Star Trek 4 it is better never to be created at all.
The Kelvinverse is cooked
Star Trek appeared at Cineplex in 2009. and reinvigorated the dormant franchise by injecting it with JJ Abrams’ hyperkinetic action spectacle. More than a decade removed from that film, we have a whole new range of Star Trek shows. Although some of them were inspired by the aesthetics of Kelvinversthey carved out their own identity and established even more new directions for the franchise.
Star Trek 4 it feels old hat at this point. The Kelvinverse was an attempt to reboot the franchise for new viewers. But with the success of projects like Star Trek: Lower Decksthird season of Star Trek: Picardor Star Trek: Strange New Worlds delighting longtime fans and finding new ones, it doesn’t seem like there are any huge contingencies that require more exploration in the reboot universe. What else is left to explore with this particular look at the property? With so much time since the last entry, the Star Trek franchise has passed Star Trek 4 and move on. Going back doesn’t make any sense.
It already has a solid send off
Star Trek 4 is positioned as a planned send-off for the reboot cast and Kelvinverse. however Star Trek Beyond actually looks like a decent final mission for this crew. Obviously it wasn’t meant to be, but it ends on the right note with everyone together as they watch the construction of the new Enterprise-A.
Unfortunately, the death of Anton Yelchin also loomed large Star Trek Beyond as he died after the filming of the film was over. The final scene with the whole crew together and toasting their absence friends also seems to act as a farewell to Yelchin. With his inevitable absence in Star Trek 4it makes a lot more sense to have Star Trek Beyond to be the last outing for this team.
Failure is an option
Probably the biggest reason to avoid Star Trek 4 to do is simply that it has a real chance of failing in many ways. Of course, this could turn out to be an unsatisfying story and leave the Kelvinverse crew with a bad final journey. Frankly, they already have one huge omission Star Trek Into Darknessand another film at this level of quality would be appalling.
The other big and even probable failure for Star Trek 4 is at the checkout. Each entry in the Kelvinverse series does less and less at the domestic box office. It doesn’t seem like mainstream audiences are thrilled with the idea of ​​Star Trek in theaters. The fanbase is locked in streaming series, but it doesn’t look like it will lead to blockbuster success at the box office. And the last thing a franchise needs, perception-wise, is a major failure.
Would it be great if Star Trek 4 was it done and was it wonderful? Of course! But the odds are so stacked against him. Better to leave things as they are and look to the future of the franchise.
