‘Star Trek 4’ being directed by S.J. Clarkson, the first female to direct a ‘Trek’ movie

At the moment, there are lot of moving Star Trek parts. Most of us know about the Tarantino-Trek flick, Star Trek 4 is a completely different entity. While the fate of the former remains murky, the latter is beginning to coalesce.

/Film:

Star Trek 4 has found a director: S.J. Clarkson, who will be the first woman to helm a Trek film. Paramount is developing two different Star Trek films: the Quentin Tarantino R-Rated Trek, and Star Trek 4, which will serve as a sequel to the rebooted Star Trek film franchise. More on the Star Trek 4 director below.

Exciting news: Star Trek 4 has found a director. Variety reports S.J. Clarkson will helm the sequel. This will make Clarkson the first female director to helm a Star Trek movie. Paramount announced at CinemaCon that they’re in the midst of developing two different Star Trek films. One is the potentially R-rated film pitched by Quentin Tarantino. The other will be Clarkson’s Star Trek 4, which is a new entry in the rebooted film franchise first helmed by J.J. Abrams.

Variety says plot details are still under wraps, but they also indicate the story will involve Chris Pine‘s Captain Kirk reuniting with his dead father, George Kirk, played in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek by Chris Hemsworth. This script has been in development now for a few years. J.J. Abrams confirmed the story back in 2016, saying it would involve sort sort of time travel element and reunite long-lost father and son. Abrams re-confirmed this at SDCC 2016, saying:

“It really is an amazing story. It’s really the reason we made the deal with Chris Hemsworth as soon as we could because we really wanted that story to be told, so fingers crossed.”

Chris Hemsworth later commented on the concept as well, saying, “I’ve spoken to J.J. Abrams, and he has an amazing pitch on the whole thing.”

Now, S.J. Clarkson will bring that idea to life. Clarkson has a background in television, having helmed episodes of The Defenders, Vinyl, Jessica Jones, Orange is the New Black, Bates Motel and more. Clarkson becoming the first female filmmaker to helm a Star Trek film is a big deal and yet another sign that Hollywood is catching on that female directors actually exist and are more than qualified to take on big blockbuster franchises.