Chris Pine expressed uncertainty about the future of the Star Trek franchise during an interview at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. He wished good luck to Paramount's new leadership while promoting his latest film, Carousel. The actor, known for playing Captain Kirk, confirmed he will not appear in the upcoming Star Trek movie.
Chris Pine, who portrayed Captain James T. Kirk in three Star Trek films from 2009 to 2016, shared his thoughts on the franchise's direction during a January 23, 2026, interview at the Variety Studio presented by Audible at the Sundance Film Festival.
When asked about Paramount's new leadership and plans for Star Trek, Pine admitted limited knowledge, stating, “You probably know more than I do.” He offered lighthearted advice: “Advice? Have fun, good luck, live long and prosper.”
Variety reported that Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, directors of the Pine-starring Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, are writing, producing, and directing a new Star Trek film. This project aims to revitalize the series but will not continue the J.J. Abrams reboot and excludes Pine's involvement.
Pine's appearance at Sundance promoted Carousel, a romance drama directed by Rachel Lambert, in which he stars as a single father whose life changes with the return of his high school ex-girlfriend, played by Jenny Slate. Discussing his character, Pine noted, “Many a male character in film and in life… there is a difficulty for men to communicate feelings with clarity. He struggles with that,” adding that Slate's role “allows him in the messiest way to confront these feelings and purge them out of the system.”
Slate praised the script, saying, “I was so excited by Rachel’s script for many reasons, but I think it’s a real opportunity when you get a full interiority. That makes for good drama. I started in comedy because it’s the easiest way to deal with my shadow, but not because I don’t have one. Now to sort of grow up into my adulthood as performer and to confront it straight on… I saw that opportunity in this script.”
Carousel opened the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, highlighting Pine's shift to dramatic roles outside sci-fi.