I know If ST4 doesn't happen (or at least if the George Kirk ST4 dosnt happen which apparently is adapted from Orcis 3 with Hemsworth instead of Shatner) then that would probably mean the Orci 3 in comic form (like the William Gibson Alien 3)
Even if it's dead, it won't be forgotten. The Kelvin movies have heavily influenced Discovery: From bridge windows and a general USS Kelvin-inspired aesthetic, to starships that dwarf the classic series Enterprise, bald Klingons, Beyond-style uniforms, the ST'09/ID warp effect lifted directly for season 2. Not to mention Pike's "hit it!" from the S2 trailer and a volatile Young Spock. I am curious how similar former JJ co-conspirator Alex Kurtzman's vision of Trek is to Abrams' rumoured ideas to expand Trek back in 2013...
They are all competently made films and I actually like all of the actors they picked for the key roles. I just think the stories for each never rise above mediocre. I don't think Nimoy was used in an interesting way. The impetus that triggered the whole parallel timeline (i.e. Nero's revenge) seems less than satisfactory. The twists and turns with Khan simply don't make sense - it just seems to me that Cumberbatch was the upcoming hot ticket at that moment in hollywood and Abrams wanted to work with him - voila, new Khan. There's little to tie in the prior mythos in a satisfying way. ST:Beyond seems to get better consideration as a ST film and i'm not sure why.
benicio del toro was originally up for the role (which would've been super interesting) and cumberbatch was cast last minute (shooting had already begun). not sure about the impetus for casting cumberbatch, but the role was certainly not (re)created for him.
I watched all 3 of them yesterday. STID was less dodgey this time around. I think they hold up quite well. I would just hate to see them end prematurely. If Trek could bring in Star Wars, GOTG and or Suicide Squad type of money, we'd be in a better place.
It's disappointing overall. I think it had the potential to be so much more. If they had developed a arc between the movies like Batman Begins to The Dark Knight Rises rather than having them as stand alone stories I think that would have been interesting. Instead there seems to be no real plan when it came to these films and the gaps between them hurt also.
The Kelvinverse films are adored by me and #4 would be the cherry on top. I really truly feel there is one more good story to be told with that crew. [* Beastie Boys - Sabotage plays *]
Who should the Kelvinverse crew cross phasers with next? Khan and his augments revived? The Borg? Trelane? V'Ger or the Whale Probe? Again with the Klingons? Kang, Kor and Koloth??? One of the Dr. Soongs and his androids? Cardassians? Changelings from the Bajoran Wormhole? A new race?
Ugh, more new aliens? Don't we have enough to choose from? New Aliens in a movie is the equivalent of "Alien of the week" on the series as they are never seen from again.