The biggest franchises in Paramount’s arsenal, Transformers and Star Trek, have been away from the big screen for a while, but it hasn’t been for lack of trying. And now as they actually seem to be moving pretty quick on Steven Caple’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and a new ‘Trek’ from WandaVision director Matt Shakman, both films have been pushed out deeper into 2023.
Even though principle photography is completed on Caple’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, the film has still been pushed a full year from June 24th, 2022, to June 9th, 2023. Damn. The cast for that one includes In the Heights star Anthony Ramos and The Deuce actress Dominique Fishback in a story that will introduce the Beast Wars characters into the mix to fight alongside Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.
That summer release date had been occupied by a new Star Trek movie from Matt Shakman, but it has now moved to December 22nd 2023, the date recently vacated by Patty Jenkins’ Rogue Squadron. Gee, you think Paramount leapt at the chance to have a prime holiday spot without serious Star Wars competition? You betcha.
Shakman is the latest director attached to man Star Trek into the final frontier. SJ Clarkson had been set to be the first female to helm a movie in franchise history, but she ultimately gave way to Noah Hawley who couldn’t get his project into the air. And of course, there was that whole flirtation with Quentin Tarantino. It remains unclear what this new version will look like, and if it will include Chris Pine and his co-stars.
