Well, this could prove quite the pickle for Paramount Pictures. After all, how can you do a film based around Captain Kirk and his pops, without featuring those who’ve so far played Kirk and his old man?

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, right now it looks as if both Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth may not be returning for the impending fourth Star Trek picture.

If you remember, the plot for what’s currently being referred to as simply Star Trek 4 is to focus on a time-travel adventure based around Pine’s James T. Kirk and Hemsworth’s George Kirk. Hemsworth famously played the role in the opening moments of J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek reboot, and he was set to finally have a larger presence in this new movie.

The big issue here is a pay dispute between Paramount and the two actors. Since the poor box office turnout for Star Trek Beyond, Paramount has looked to renegotiate the deals between the studio and the film’s returning cast members. Sticking to their guns, Pine and Hemsworth want Paramount to honour the agreement that was previously in place.

Currently, Paramount is confident of agreeing deals with Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Karl Urban, and Simon Pegg, and the studio is still full steam ahead regardless of Pine or Hemsworth’s involvement. Given how the film will focus on the Kirks, it’d be a little odd to bring in new actors in those roles here, and you can understand where Pine and Hemsworth are coming from if Paramount is essentially forcing them to undergo a pay cut and go back on the deals that were previously agreed to.

Expect more on all of this as it develops.

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