Quentin Tarantino and Star Trek are two things we had never thought about in the same sentence. And yet here we are.
Indeed, only three days have passed since Tarantino delivered his initial pitch to Paramount and J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: Episode IX) and already, Deadline brings word that the wheels are officially in motion. The illustrious filmmaker, who is still plotting a ’60s period drama known only as #9, will presumably bow out after his contribution to the Star Trek franchise, given Tarantino has always vowed to retire after his tenth directorial effort. And yes, it’ll be rated R, which ensures that QT’s Trek movie really will go boldly where no one has gone before.
Paramount and Abrams reportedly agreed to that condition earlier in the week, when Quentin Tarantino hashed out ideas with three high-profile screenwriters: Mark L. Smith (The Revenant), Lindsey Beer (Chaos Walking, Godzilla Vs. Kong), and Drew Pearce (Iron Man 3). Word is Smith has emerged as an early frontrunner to land the gig, which will quietly simmer on the back-burner while Tarantino tends to his Charles Manson movie.
Then again, it’s not really about Charles Manson, is it? In fact, the filmmaker himself has stressed that describing his period drama as a Manson movie is akin to calling Inglorious Basterds a pic about Adolf Hitler, which is to say that the infamous serial killer will only feature in one or two scenes.
Margot Robbie of Suicide Squad fame is allegedly game to play Sharon Tate, one of the five victims murdered at the hands of the Manson Family, while Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt have all met with Quentin Tarantino about potential roles.
Getting back to Deadline’s scoop, though, and a Tarantino-directed Star Trek movie is officially a thing that exists – albeit in an embryonic state. Closer to home, QT is still committed to delivering his ninth feature, which recently found a home at Sony.