Andor filmmaker set to direct upcoming Star Trek film

Andor’s Toby Haynes is making his debut on the big screen by directing a new movie set in the Star Trek universe.

With a 20-year career in the UK's television industry, Haynes began with an episode of the anthology series Coming Up in 2004.

He has since directed episodes of well-known series such as Doctor Who, Black Mirror, and Andor, as well as calling the shots on Sherlock, Utopia, and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. His impressive track record in genre fare has led Paramount Pictures to choose Haynes to direct for Star Trek, despite his lack of experience in theatrical releases.

Andor director helming new Star Trek movie

The news that Haynes will boldly go where several other filmmakers have gone before comes via Entertainment Weekly.

Toby Haynes, the renowned British director behind 'Andor' and the 'Black Mirror' episode 'USS Callister,' is in the process of developing a new 'Star Trek' film. https://t.co/amJxyw0sZr

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) January 11, 2024

EW’s sources claim that the upcoming British director's Star Trek film is an "origin story" set "decades before the events of J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek movie." The Lego Batman Movie co-writer Seth Grahame-Smith will be responsible for penning the screenplay for Haynes’ Star Trek outing, with Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot, handling production.

Aside from these details, little else is known about the project, other than the fact that it won’t replace Star Trek 4, which has been stalled since August 2022, on Paramount’s Star Trek movie slate. The studio has not revealed the release window for the film, but it is assumed to be several years away.

What other Star Trek movies is Paramount developing?

That being said, we do have an idea of what a Star Trek movie directed by Haynes might look like. Haynes' 2017 Black Mirror episode "USS Callister" parodies the classic Trek and shows the director's knowledge of the franchise.

Paramount is currently developing at least two other feature-length additions to the Star Trek canon, aside from Star Trek 4 and Haynes’ film. These include the Michelle Yeoh vehicle Section 31 and a mystery movie starring Patrick Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard. However, Quentin Tarantino's long-awaited Star Trek project and another overseen by Noah Hawley are currently on the back burner and not expected to materialize anytime soon.

For all the latest Star Trek news and updates, check out Dexerto’s full coverage here.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate Star Trek fan, I am thrilled to hear that Toby Haynes, the talented director behind Andor, is set to direct an upcoming Star Trek film. Haynes' impressive track record in genre fare, including his work on Doctor Who, Black Mirror, and Andor, makes him an exciting choice for this highly anticipated project. His ability to craft compelling narratives and create visually stunning worlds bodes well for the future of the Star Trek franchise on the big screen.

The news that the upcoming Star Trek film will serve as an origin story set decades before the events of J.J. Abrams' 2009 movie has me intrigued. This approach offers the opportunity to explore new corners of the Star Trek universe and introduce fresh characters and storylines. The involvement of Seth Grahame-Smith as the screenwriter adds further promise, as his previous work on The Lego Batman Movie demonstrated his ability to blend humor and heart in a genre setting.