I'm still waiting for JJ Abrams' Star Trek 4 to happen to find out what's been happening in the Kelvin Timeline since the end of 2016's Star Trek Beyond, and although I've always wanted a fourth movie from the franchise's softly-rebooted reality, there's been a real-world development that has made me even more certain it should happen. Although 2009's Star Trek and the two following movies were already packed with star power, the years that have passed since the trilogy's end have resulted in them all becoming even more established actors. So, Star Trek 4 would be especially high-profile.
There's a lot to recognize for long-standing fans in Abrams' Star Trek movies, but the Kelvin Timeline series has replaced every main actor who appeared as part of the cast of Star Trek: The Original Series - although Leonard Nimoy did also return as Prime Spock in the first installment. Set roughly alongside the same period as the Prime Universe's TOS-era, Chris Pine's time as Captain Kirk takes his crew through a reimagined set of events that often have nods to William Shatner's original version of the character. Star Trek 4 would likely continue this formula, but with a notable change.
Zoe Saldaña's Oscar Win Is Further Proof That Star Trek 4 Needs To Happen
Star Trek 4 would now have an Oscar winner among its cast
The acting talent on show in Abrams' Star Trek movies was never in doubt. I'd long been a Chris Pine fan before his 2009 franchise debut, and his interpretation of James T. Kirk was equally respectful of Shatner's efforts as it was true to Pine's own choices. Zachary Quinto's version of Spock also boasted similar qualities. Zoe Saldaña was another star who shone immediately in Star Trek, replacing Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Nyota Uhura. Also appearing in Avatar that same year, 2009 was enormous for Saldaña, but 2025 is arguably even bigger thanks to her first Oscar win.
Saldaña was presented with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress due to her performance as Rita Mora Castro in 2024's Emeila Pérez.
Saldaña was presented with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress due to her performance as Rita Mora Castro in 2024's Emeila Pérez. Although Saldaña isn't the first Star Trek actor to win an Oscar, it puts her in an exclusive group. One of the most recent examples is Michelle Yeoh earning the Best Actress award at the 2023 Oscars for 2022's Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. This achievement arguably went some way to Yeoh going on to lead the cast of Star Trek: Section 31. So, Star Trek 4 should be Saldaña's post-Oscar outing within the franchise.
If Star Trek 4 Happens, Uhura Must Be As Prominent As Kirk, Spock & McCoy
Saldaña's Oscar win should bring her to the forefront of Star Trek 4
The Kelvin Timelines movies replicate Star Trek: The Original Series' ensemble cast approach, although more focus is put on certain characters more than others. Pine's Kirk is one of the biggest stars of the trilogy, but Quinto's Spock and Karl Urban's Dr. McCoy also receive huge amounts of attention. Zoe Saldaña does get a good amount of time on screen as Uhura, but nowhere near as much as other members of the Enterprise crew. So, now armed with an Oscar win, Saldaña has to be placed front and center with the other prominent characters in Star Trek 4.
Uhura had some very important episodes in Star Trek: The Original Series, and Celia Rose Gooding's younger version of the character in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is similarly instrumental to how the story is told. So, it wouldn't be anything new to give Kelvin Uhura a bigger platform than she has already enjoyed in the previous three films. Plus, delving further into the version of the character in the Abrams movies also keeps things interesting while also acknowledging Saldaña's Oscar win and allowing her to further display the talent that earned her the Academy Award.
Where Star Trek 4 Stands In 2025
Plans for the fourth Kelvin Timeline movie have been delayed for a while
News on another Kelvin Timeline movie set after Star Trek Beyond has been fluid and hard to parse for years now. Although there is a clear desire from those involved with the original trilogy to continue the story, it remains unclear whether Paramount has officially greenlit the project. However, other sources state Star Trek 4 is still on the cards, and that it's just stuck in production hell. The movie has had several writers and directors attached, but none have seemingly been a fit for what is being labeled by some as the series' "Final chapter."
With almost a decade having passed since Star Trek Beyond, the writers would surely need to address the cast's new ages, which would in turn impact the plot. There have been different concepts mentioned for Star Trek 4, with some plans involving what would technically be a prequel, bringing back Chris Hemsworth's George Kirk in a time travel adventure. Unfortunately, nothing solid has yet been announced about if and when the movie will be finished or even made. Hopefully, it makes some real progress sooner rather than later.
Zoe Saldaña's Oscar Win Might Make Star Trek 4 Even Less Likely
The actress may not want to make another Star Trek movie for various reasons stemming from her award
Because the series lives and breathes by its tributes to Star Trek: The Original Series, a fourth movie without Uhura just wouldn't be the same.
Even if Saldaña is available to reprise her Star Trek role, it could come down to her having to decide between a very appealing-sounding project and a sci-fi sequel that's arguably years past when it would have been its most successful - the latter, of course, being Star Trek 4. Because the series lives and breathes by its tributes to Star Trek: The Original Series, a fourth movie without Uhura just wouldn't be the same. Although recasting the character remains an option, such a decision seems likely.There's also the issue of what role Uhura would play in Star Trek 4. As mentioned, she's rarely been at the forefront of the other Kelvin Timeline movies. With so many options presumably on the table in the actress' immediate future, accepting a secondary role in what is otherwise part of a massive franchise just may not be a very attractive prospect for Saldaña, especially when she could be the lead in other projects. Plus, it arguably wouldn't be fair for her to remain in a supporting role for Star Trek 4 after something as big as an Oscar win.
