While it was becoming increasingly inevitable, it’s now been confirmed that with actor Chris Pine set to star in two high-profile projects for Paramount Pictures, the plan to make the Jack Ryan reboot before Star Trek 2 has had to be changed, with the former put on hold so the sci-fi sequel can have priority.
However it’s not just that the Star Trek is currently more important than Jack Ryan that’s behind the decision, but due to the fact that there are ongoing script issues with the reboot. In February screenwriter Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List) was brought in to rewrite the screenplay, but Deadline reports that he stepped away from the project a few weeks ago. Paramount is currently talking to other writers to come aboard, but at the moment with the script up in the air, Paramount has had to say that Star Trek comes first.
Pine is now due to start production on Star Trek 2 this autumn, with the movie already set for release on July 29, 2012. Director J.J. Abrams should be directing, although he hasn’t officially signed on yet, with Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, and Damon Lindelof writing the screenplay. Jack Ryan will now come afterwards, but with the studio keen to start a franchise with the reboot, they’re keen to ensure the script is right, rather than rushing something substandard into production.