Matt Shakman exits Star Trek movie

Director Matt Shakman, who was signed to direct a new Star Trek film for Paramount has dropped out of the project. This film would have been the fourth in the series following Chris Pine's Captain Kirk, first introduced in 2009's Star Trek. The news comes as Marvel announced Shakman was in talks to direct their new Fantastic Four movie.

Shakman was set to direct an untitled Star Trek film for Paramount but dropped it due to scheduling issues with the Fantastic Four project. While there has not been an official confirmation that Shakman has signed on, Shakman leaving Star Trek indicates that the deal is close to being signed.

In an official statement from Paramount, the studio stated, “Matt Shakman is an incredibly talented filmmaker, and we regret the timing didn’t align for him to direct our upcoming Star Trek film,” they would continue, “We are grateful for his many contributions, are excited about the creative vision of this next chapter and look forward to bringing it to audiences all around the world.”

The Shakman-directed Star Trek film was originally slotted for a December 23, 2023 release date. 

Shakman has previously worked with Marvel Studios in the past, he directed the MCU’s first Disney+ series, WandaVision, which premiered in early 2021. 

Previously in 2005, Tim Story directed a Fantastic Four film starring the quartet of Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans and Jessica Alba. The film got a sequel in 2007, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. But, in 2015, 20th Century Fox rebooted the series with a new team consisting of Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell.