Looks like it’s finally been confirmed: Quentin Tarantino will not be directing a Star Trek film. According to Deadline, “Tarantino dropped out as director, but the project is still viable based on an episode of the classic Star Trek series that takes place largely earthbound in a 30s gangster setting — might serve the franchise best as Logan-like spinoffs when the core franchise has been revitalized.”
This does not come as much of a surprise. In fact, Tarantino previously hinted that he’s moving away from the Star Trek project during the promotion of his latest film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
“I think I’m steering away from Star Trek, but I haven’t had an official conversation with those guys yet. In a strange way, it seems like this movie, Hollywood, would be my last. So, I’ve kind of taken the pressure off myself to make that last big voilà kind of statement. I mean to such a degree there was a moment when I was writing and went, ‘Should I do this now? Should I do something else? Is this the 10th one?’
No, no, don’t stop the planets from aligning, what are you, Galactus? If the Earth is saying do it, do it. Not that it was an argument, but a little thought, like, ‘Well, if I’m gonna go out like Max Ophüls style, Lola Montez, this is it, and if It’s not good, then all my other work is trash, alright.’ This would have been the one. But in a weird way, it actually kind of freed me up. I mean, I have no idea what the story of the next one’s going to be. I don’t even have a clue.”
Though unsurprising, it is a bit of a bummer. I have always been a fan of esteemed auteurs taking a swing at geeky mega franchises, just to see what sort of flavour he/she will inject into the property (i.e. Christopher Nolan with Batman).
