The Star Trek franchise was rebooted back in 2009 with a fresh cast led by Chris Pine under the direction of J.J. Abrams. However, in the recent years the reboot series known as the Kelvin timeline within the canon has stagnated with the fourth installment seemingly stuck in development hell.
Despite the film’s uncertain status, one Marvel star, with four $2 billion movies to her name has expressed an interest in joining the cast of the fourth installment. Actress Zoe Saldana who played the role of Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the reboot series is still game to reprise her role provided Abrams is also up for it. Here is what Saldana had to say about her potential Star Trek return.
Marvel Star Zoe Saldana Still Interested in Returning For Star Trek 4
Zoe Saldana first appeared as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the 2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise. The film was a commercial success, leading to two further isntallments, wherein Saldana reprised her role. However, development on a fourth film has stalled for several reasons.
Meanwhile, Saldana appeared as Gamora and Neytiri in the MCU and the Avatar franchises. In the process, Saldana achieved the rare feat of appearing four movies (Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame) to gross over $2 billion at the box office.
During an interview with ComicBook.com in January 2024, Saldana spoke about potentially reprising her role for a fourth installment in the long dormant Star Trek franchise. She said:
If I get to do that one last time, I would be so grateful.
Saldana added that working with director J.J. Abrams was always a great experience and she hoped that Paramount would bring the entire cast of the reboot series for one swasong of a movie.
However, Saldana was also unsure about the direction the franchise might take with the announcement of a different film set in the Kelvin timeline but taking place before the 2009 reboot. Nonetheless, Saldana wants to bid her character a proper farewell in a fourth and final film.
J.J. Abrams is Yet to Confirm the Status of the Kelvin Timeline Cast For Star Trek 4
During the same interview, Saldana confirmed that while she hoped to see the entire cast of the reboot to reunite for Star Trek 4, no contracts had been drawn up just yet. As a result, Saldana’s involvement in the fourth installment remains unconfirmed as of now.
In 2022, it was announced that Paramount was still developing a fourth installment, with the hopes to bring back the whole cast. J.J. Abrams was expected to serve as a producer but the report also confirmed that the cast wasn’t officially signed on for the fourth film.
In early 2024, a different film set before the 2009 reboot, directed by Toby Haynes was revealed to be in development. As a result, Saldana’s skepticism about the possibility of a fourth film happening was understandable.
Menawhile, in March 2024, it was confirmed that Steve Yockey was writing a new draft of the fourth film, leaving the door open for Saldana and the rest of the cast to reprise their roles one last time. However, Abrams is yet to confirm a director or cast members for the said film.
Star Trek movies and TV shows are streaming on Paramount+.
