The long-gestating fourth Star Trek movie has received a positive update following a major change at studio Paramount.

The film arm of the science-fiction franchise was rebooted with 2009’s Star Trek, which received two sequels in Into Darkness and Beyond. Since then, the fourth outing for Chris Pine‘s Captain Kirk and his crew has had many stops and starts.

Over the last week, the merger between studios Paramount and Skydance was completed, with Skydance’s David Ellison acting as CEO and chairman.

Given that Ellison was involved in the last two Trek films as executive producer, it’s a good sign for a future sequel.

But don’t just take our word for it, as Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty, is confident that Ellison will help get Star Trek 4 off the ground properly.

john cho, anton yelchin, karl urban, chris pine, zachary quinto, simon pegg, star trek beyond

Paramount Pictures/Skydance

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“Well, I know David Ellison is a big Star Trek fan,” he said on stage at the annual Star Trek convention in Las Vegas this week (via TrekMovie).

“I know he cares about the series. So I would love it. I would be delighted if we could make another film. I love those guys. And despite how we had a tragedy in our group, which was extremely painful. It would be wonderful to come together again.

“JJ [Abrams] has always said that there are scripts being developed and this and that. I think it’s about time. It would be great to see us 10 years after the five year mission, where we are.”

sofia boutella simon pegg star trek beyond

Paramount Pictures/Skydance

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If another film in the reboot series doesn’t happen, Sir Patrick Stewart previously made it known that he would be keen for another big screen outing as Captain Picard again.

“I think we could do a Picard-based movie,” he said. “Not necessarily at all about Picard but about all of us. And to take many of those wonderful elements, particularly from season 3 of Picard and take out of that what I think could be an extraordinary movie.”

All three Star Trek reboot movies are available on Prime Video and Paramount+.

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