In a fascinating twist to the ongoing saga of “Star Trek” cinematic ventures, Noah Hawley, renowned for his work on “Fargo,” disclosed his once-planned contribution to the franchise, which intriguingly involved Academy Award-winners Cate Blanchett and Rami Malek.
This revelation emerged during Hawley’s appearance on the “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard” podcast, where he expressed his excitement about the project and noted the potential inclusion of such stellar talents.
Following the critical and commercial success of J.J. Abrams’s “Star Trek” reboot in 2009 and its sequels, Paramount Plus outside USA has explored various directions to expand the “Star Trek” universe.
Despite the developments of “Star Trek Into Darkness” and “Star Trek Beyond” and the anticipation surrounding “Star Trek 4,” the journey to bring new stories to the screen has been tumultuous. Multiple projects have been announced yet have not come to fruition.
Among these was Hawley’s vision for the franchise, which aimed to harken back to the exploratory spirit and humanity at the core of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”.
Hawley’s approach promised a departure from the action-centric narratives of recent films, focusing instead on exploration, diversity, and creative problem-solving. Despite completing a script and nearing the commencement of production, Hawley’s project was abruptly halted in 2021 due to a change in management at Paramount Studios.
Hawley recounted the project’s sudden pause, highlighting the challenges of introducing an “untested crew” and an “original idea” to the franchise’s storied legacy. His vision for the film, which was close to entering production, was ultimately shelved as Paramount reassessed its strategy for the Star Trek universe.
The news of what could have been—a Star Trek movie led by the talents of Blanchett and Malek under Hawley’s direction—adds a layer of intrigue to the franchise’s recent history.
As Paramount continues to develop new Star Trek films, including a fourth installment that aims to conclude the narrative arc of Abrams’ Trek cast, fans can only speculate on the unique perspectives and stories that Hawley’s project might have offered.
Despite the disappointment of its cancellation, the possibility of innovative, unexplored paths in the Star Trek universe remains a tantalizing prospect for fans worldwide.
Jane Davies
