Chris Pine is officially out of the loop when it comes to Star Trek‘s future.
The actor, who brought Captain Kirk to life in three films spanning 2009 to 2016, admits he knows virtually nothing about Paramount’s plans for the iconic franchise.
And his response? Classic Pine—equal parts charming and brutally honest.
During a recent interview at the Variety Studio presented by Audible at Sundance, Pine was asked about what Paramount’s new leadership has planned for the beloved space saga.
Pine’s Honest Take on Being Left Behind
When questioned about the franchise’s direction under new leadership, Pine didn’t mince words.
You probably know more than I do.
It’s a surprising admission from someone who starred in J.J. Abrams’ reboot trilogy. But it makes sense given recent developments.
According to reports from Variety last year, Paramount is moving forward with a fresh Star Trek film helmed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley—the creative duo behind Pine’s own Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
A New Chapter Without the Kelvin Crew
The upcoming film represents a significant departure from what fans have come to know.
Goldstein and Daley are writing, producing, and directing what’s being positioned as a franchise revitalization effort. But here’s the kicker: it won’t continue the storyline established by Abrams’ reboot.
That means no Pine as Kirk. No continuation of the alternate timeline that introduced a generation of fans to the Star Trek universe.
Paramount is betting on a complete refresh—a bold move that leaves Pine and his castmates watching from the sidelines.
Pine’s Parting Wisdom for Paramount
Asked if he had any advice for Paramount’s new leadership regarding Star Trek, Pine kept it light and gracious.
Advice? Have fun, good luck, live long and prosper.
The response perfectly encapsulates Pine’s approach: professional, warm, and entirely free of bitterness despite being written out of a franchise he helped revive.
It’s worth noting the irony here. The directors taking Star Trek in this new direction are the same ones who collaborated with Pine on Dungeons & Dragons—a film that showcased his comedic timing and ensemble chemistry.
Moving Beyond the Enterprise
Pine isn’t sitting around waiting for Paramount’s call, though. He opened the 2025 Sundance Film Festival with Carousel, a romance drama that signals his commitment to diverse, challenging roles.
Directed by Rachel Lambert and co-starring Jenny Slate, the film centers on a single father whose carefully constructed life gets disrupted when his high school ex-girlfriend reenters the picture.
Pine described his character’s emotional journey in terms that reveal why he’s drawn to more intimate storytelling.
Many a male character in film and in life… there is a difficulty for men to communicate feelings with clarity. He struggles with that.
Confronting Emotional Complexity
Pine explained how Slate’s character serves as a catalyst for emotional reckoning.
She “allows him in the messiest way to confront these feelings and purge them out of the system,” he noted—a far cry from Captain Kirk’s swashbuckling heroics aboard the Enterprise.
For Slate, Carousel represents its own kind of evolution. The comedy veteran discussed her excitement about diving into dramatic territory with full character depth.
I was so excited by Rachel’s script for many reasons, but I think it’s a real opportunity when you get a full interiority. That makes for good drama.
From Comedy to Confrontation
Slate’s candid reflection on her career trajectory reveals the appeal of Carousel.
I started in comedy because it’s the easiest way to deal with my shadow, but not because I don’t have one. Now to sort of grow up into my adulthood as performer and to confront it straight on… I saw that opportunity in this script.
Both actors are clearly invested in projects that challenge them beyond their established personas—Pine stepping away from franchise tentpoles, Slate moving past pure comedy.
What This Means for Star Trek Fans
Pine’s detachment from Star Trek‘s future might disappoint fans who hoped for another Kelvin timeline adventure. His Kirk brought swagger, vulnerability, and fresh energy to the legendary role.
But Paramount’s decision to start fresh suggests they’re prioritizing creative reinvention over nostalgia—a risky but potentially rewarding strategy.
The franchise has always been about boldly going where no one has gone before. Perhaps that philosophy now extends to storytelling approaches themselves.
For Pine, the chapter appears closed. He’s wished the franchise well and moved on to projects like Carousel that offer different creative satisfactions.
Sometimes the best career move is knowing when to let go—even of something as iconic as the captain’s chair.