J.J. Abrams Suggests ‘Star Wars’ Could Prevent Him Making ‘Star Trek 3’
Since being hired to directStar Wars: Episode VII,J.J. Abramshas had a secondary role in addition to keeping theStar Trekseries on track: being a cheerleader for two very different series owned by different companies. As the new captain ofTrek, Abrams is just about to launch his second Enterprise mission, and then will have to quickly shift over intoStar Warsmode to getEpisode VIIrolling early next year.
Part of his role as shepherd of both series has been to remain optimistic about the chances of working on both going forward, even though such a thing seems unlikely. Simon Pegg once blurted out that Abrams would definitely directStar Trek 3, but later had to admit he couldn’t speak for Abrams. And Abrams has said that directing bothEpisode VIIandStar Trek 3was a possibility.
There are a couple years of work ahead onStar Wars, and also the very real possibility that Paramount will want aTreksequel as soon as possible. And soStar Trekmay need a new director after all.
TheNew York Timeshas a piece on Abrams' attempt to straddle two massive franchises, and while there is no direct quote from the producer/director about his future withStar Trekas he works onStar Wars, the article does say,
He was noncommittal about directing a third “Star Trek,” except to say that Bad Robot would produce it. He said it was unlikely that Paramount would wait another four years for such a film, in which case his “Star Wars” schedule would likely conflict with it.
None of which comes as any sort of surprise; the notion that Abrams would be able to direct the next installments of both series seemed wildly ambitious at best. We’ll see howStar Trek Into Darknesspans out for Paramount; the studio may end up wanting to go with a new creative team to keep the series fresh.
