A new Star Trek sequel is reportedly set to start production in the near future, but the cast members are still waiting to see what they’ll be doing in the film. Last month, it was reported that J.J. Abrams is producing a Star Trek Beyond sequel that will bring back the main cast from the reboot film trilogy. The news was announced at the Paramount Investors Day Presentation with other Star Trek news along with the reveal that Abrams was planning to start shooting by the end of the year.

“We are thrilled to say that we are hard at work on a new Star Trek film that will be shooting by the end of the year that will be featuring our original cast and some new characters that I think are going to be really fun and exciting and help take Star Trek into areas that you’ve just never seen before,” Abrams said. “We’re thrilled about this film, we have a bunch of other stories that we’re talking about that we think will be really exciting, so can’t wait for you to see what we’re cooking up. But until then, live long and prosper.”

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Though Abrams clearly stated the original cast was coming back, this was an announcement that took them by surprise. Speaking more about the situation with Variety, cast member Karl Urban revealed that he still hasn’t seen the screenplay and can’t offer any details about the project. However, is does sound very optimistic and appears to be hoping it all works out as he’s eager to get back on the Star Trek set with his fellow Starfleet crew members.

“I haven’t seen a script, I know nothing. But I would love to work with those guys again, so much fun, the best hang. We’ll see,” Urban said.

These comments are similar to what Chris Pine had to say about Star Trek 4. He recently explained, “I think everybody was like, ‘Did you hear about this?’ We’re usually the last people to find out, but I do know we’re all excited. Whenever they want to send us a script, we’re ready for it… We haven’t seen a script. I don’t know anything about it.”

Asked if he had trust in the script, Pine responded, “I don’t trust anybody, but I’m excited. I love the story. I love Star Trek. I love my people.”

Star Trek 4 Has Been a Long Time Coming

     Paramount Pictures

There have been years of rumors and false starts for Star Trek 4, though J.J. Abrams’ optimism seems to be a good sign this time around. Zoe Saldana, who plays Uhura in the franchise, also recently touched on continuing the story with a new film. For her and the rest of the cast, it will be bittersweet as they’ll be happy to be back together again, but it will come with a certain pain of not having the late Anton Yelchin there with the rest of them.

“We’re excited,” Saldana said. “Obviously, it’s bittersweet because we are coming together for a fourth time and one of us is no longer with us with Anton’s passing, but we honestly feel that going back and keeping the Star Trek family together is a way to really keep him alive in our thoughts and our hearts because he was such a fan. And he was such a devoted artist to the craft and also to Star Trek. So, it would be great to get to go back to work and get to, you know, be together with the gang.”