Because of the untimely passing of Anton Yelchin before the release of Star Trek Beyond (2016), J.J. Abrams had said that his character Pavel Chekov would not be recast for the fourth film.
In July 2016, J.J. Abrams confirmed plans for the fourth film, and stated that Chris Hemsworth would return as James T. Kirk's father, George Kirk, whom he portrayed in the opening prologue of Star Trek (2009). Later on, Hemsworth departed from the fourth film because he had found the screenplay underwhelming.
In August 2018, it's been reported that Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth will not return to their roles of James T. Kirk and George Kirk over salaries. On January 9, 2019, Paramount Pictures has placed the fourth film on hold. On November 19, 2019, it's been reported that Chris Pine has signed on for the fourth film alongside Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldaña, Karl Urban and Simon Pegg, and that Noah Hawley will write and direct the film.
In the dawn of March 2023, J.J. Abrams said the search for a new director was underway and expressed his view that the story for the fourth film was as compelling as the story for Star Trek (2009). However, Chris Pine still had to read a screenplay for the next film by then.
Quentin Tarantino had pitched an idea for the fourth film to J.J. Abrams and Paramount Pictures. Tarantino was mentioned as a possibility to direct the film once his schedule allowed, and Abrams and Paramount would attempt to assemble a writers room to explore the idea. It was rumored to be the fourth film in the reboot series.