The sequel to the hit 2009 film “Star Trek” is still coming, but not as soon as originally announced.
A while back we reported that a specific release date had been set for J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek 2, but even then, we wondered how it would be possible for him to finish the film in time for the 29 June 2012 deadline.
As everyone speculated, Abrams simply has too much on his plate – because he’s a talented and successful film director who remains in strong demand.
It’s official now, however.
Paramount today announced that Star Trek 2’s release has been removed from the Summer 2012 line-up. It’s not been cancelled, though.
Thankfully, J.J. Abrams also announced that the movie is still in the works. With Super 8 finished, he’s going to start working directly on Star Trek 2.
Fans of the newly rebooted franchise will also be happy to hear that all of the principal cast from the first film are returning to reprise their roles.
Of course, the quickest way to ruin this new film would be to replace all the actors again. I don’t think it would survive that, but luckily we’ll never know. Fortunately, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, and Anton Yelchin will all be returning, and hopefully they’re all in for the long haul of the franchise.
Paramount wouldn’t want to leave a hole like that in their 2012 blockbuster season, however, so they’ve already announced a replacement.
The sequel to the recent G.I. Joe film, G.I. Joe: Cobra Strikes – possibly staring Dwayne Johnson – will be taking Star Trek’s place, though likely not on the exact same weekend.
Paramount hasn’t announced what the new production schedule is for the new Star Trek film, but I would guess that they would want to shoot for a 2012 holiday release if they can. If they can’t make that, they’ll probably wait for the 2013 blockbuster season.
