I Loved Star Trek’s Kelvin Movies, But I’m Relieved They’re Over

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Fans of Star Trek can relax now that the Kelvin timeline movies are finished. A recent report about Paramount’s plans confirms the studio still wants to make more Star Trek films, but they’ve decided to move past the idea of a fourth movie featuring the cast from those films, led by Chris Pine.

J.J. Abrams’s approach to Star Trek isn’t universally loved, but his three films are all well-made. The 2009 film, in particular, gave the franchise a much-needed update after the disappointing Nemesis and a period of declining popularity on television. Even now, it remains an exciting and well-rounded addition to the Star Trek story.

Though often criticized and sometimes not fully appreciated, Star Trek Into Darkness isn’t perfect and tends to split audiences. However, if you can overlook the surprising appearance of Khan, the movie delivers a thrilling story, exciting action sequences, and a consistently strong performance from its cast, making it a worthwhile sequel.

Going back to the core elements of what made Star Trek special was a smart move for Star Trek Beyond, and it succeeded in feeling most like the original series, even if the villain wasn’t particularly memorable. Overall, the three films of the Kelvin timeline are a positive addition to Star Trek, and while it’s ending, that’s a good thing – it’s time to move forward.

Star Trek 4 Had Become The Franchise’s Albatross

The development of Star Trek 4 has been incredibly troubled, and the story of its difficulties will likely be talked about in Hollywood for years to come. After Star Trek Beyond was generally well-received, everyone agreed that making a fourth film was a good idea, even though Beyond didn’t perform spectacularly at the box office. However, actually getting the movie made turned out to be much harder than expected.

For years, a fourth Star Trek movie seemed uncertain. In 2018, things started to move forward when S.J. Clarkson was considered to direct. The story was intended to bring back Chris Hemsworth as George Kirk, the character he briefly appeared as in the 2009 film, capitalizing on his growing fame. However, when Hemsworth decided not to participate, the project fell apart.

Several attempts have been made to create a fourth Star Trek movie, but none have come to fruition. Noah Hawley initially developed a version that wasn’t necessarily tied to the previous films, but that project stalled. Then, Matt Shakman began working on a direct sequel to Star Trek Beyond with the original cast, but it also fell through. At one point, Quentin Tarantino was even involved, planning a Star Trek film that would have continued the story with the cast from the 2009 movie.

With Chris Pine, Zoe Saldaña, and Karl Urban becoming increasingly successful and sought after for other projects, the chances of making Star Trek 4 became even more remote.

For seven years, fans have waited for Star Trek 4, but the project has been plagued by false starts, dropped storylines, and unrealized concepts. While the newer Star Trek films were enjoyable, the sequels didn’t quite recapture the magic of the 2009 reboot. Continuing to invest so much energy into the film while frequently changing directors feels unsustainable and is ultimately harming both the fans and the Star Trek brand.

Since 2018, even the smallest hints of continuation have fueled hope among Star Trek fans, who have found it hard to give up on the series. It seems Paramount hasn’t made it easy for them to do so either. But when you look at the three Kelvin timeline movies as a whole, they feel like a finished story.

The ending of Star Trek Beyond hinted at future stories, which is fitting for Star Trek as a whole. The story arc established with the Kelvin timeline feels complete and satisfying. While it might have been good to explore the Klingons more fully, the difficult production of Star Trek 4 has created the false impression that another movie was essential – but that’s simply not the case.

We also need to remember the sad loss of Anton Yelchin in 2016. His absence means the cast of the Kelvin timeline never quite feels whole, both on and off screen.

It’s fair to wonder: is Star Trek 4 moving forward because it should be made, or simply because there’s an expectation to make it?

Star Trek’s Recent Past Proves This Isn’t A Permanent Farewell To The Kelvin Cast

As a lifelong fan, it’s tough saying goodbye to the cast of Star Trek: The Original Series – they really were the crew that defined so much of what I love about the show. But honestly, looking at how Star Trek keeps coming back in new and exciting ways, I know their legacy will live on. Nothing truly disappears in this universe!

From the reunion of the Enterprise-D crew in Star Trek: Picard to the return of the EMH Doctor in Starfleet Academy, and the links to Voyager in Star Trek: Prodigy, it’s clear that being part of the Star Trek universe means characters can always return. A simple accident, like a transporter malfunction, or even time travel, could bring any actor from the Kelvin timeline films into a new or future Star Trek show or movie.

The offer to return for another film remains open indefinitely. Just as Patrick Stewart continued playing Captain Picard well into his 80s, Chris Pine could easily reprise his role forty years from now, after the difficulties of making Star Trek 4 are long forgotten. I realize it’s ironic to suggest waiting even longer while also urging fans to stop hoping for a reunion of the Star Trek Kelvin timeline cast, but a sequel made decades later would be a completely different project. Star Trek 4, yes, but not in the way we’ve been imagining it.

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2025-11-06 17:32