Essential Insights
- Zoe Saldaña looks forward to returning as Uhura in Star Trek 4, envisioning significant character development.
- The Star Trek alternate timelines provide a canvas for innovative storylines involving classic characters like Uhura.
- Saldaña’s interpretation of Uhura enriches the role, presenting a strong and multifaceted character adored by fans.
The production of the highly anticipated Star Trek 4 film has been mired in complications for several years; however, one actress is enthusiastic about reprising her role when filming eventually commences.
The J.J. Abrams-led Star Trek films unfold within what is known as the Kelvin Timeline and have faced setbacks, particularly due to Paramount’s television revival of the franchise that began in 2017. The last installment in this unique timeline premiered in 2016 under the title Star Trek Beyond. Post-release, discussions about the future of the franchise regarding a mysterious project labeled Star Trek 4 surfaced but eventually dwindled as attention shifted to Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard. Despite intermittent positive updates indicating progress for Star Trek 4 over the past eight years, including a new writer announcement in March 2024, filming has yet to kick off, with Paramount not yet providing confirmation about the project making it to production.
Zoe Saldaña is Committed to ‘Star Trek 4’
Despite the ongoing delays, the actors portraying the legendary characters from Star Trek: The Original Series within the Kelvin Timeline are still hopeful about returning. In a recent interview with Variety concerning her current film role in Emilia Pérez, Zoe Saldaña expressed her desire to return for Star Trek 4, reaffirming her commitment to the project. Even though she hasn’t yet received a script, Saldaña has grand aspirations for the character she portrays, Nyota Uhura, aiming for a narrative that could allow Uhura to assume greater responsibilities and emerge as a leader amongst the crew of the Enterprise.
“She’s a xenolinguistics master, but I would like her doing something else.”
Saldaña is also keen on exploring the dynamic between Uhura and Spock, the Vulcan First Officer played by Zachary Quinto, should the film move forward. However, she clarified that she hasn’t heard any recent developments about the project and is reluctant to become overly excited until she has a tangible script.
‘Star Trek 4’ Might Present Fans with a New Uhura
One of the most exciting aspects of Star Trek’s numerous alternate timelines and reboots is the opportunity to chart new courses for well-known characters.
Among all the figures from Star Trek: The Original Series, Uhura, originally portrayed by the late Nichelle Nichols, experienced the least character evolution. While having a Black woman in a prominent role aboard a starship was groundbreaking, Uhura primarily functioned as a backup operator. She seldom participated in away missions, and her most iconic scene remains her being telepathically compelled to kiss Captain Kirk.
Nevertheless, Uhura’s influence beyond the screen was far-reaching. She motivated Whoopi Goldberg to pursue acting, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. encouraged Nichols to remain on the show for the Black girls she was inspiring. Many real-life astronauts have credited the character with influencing their career choices.
Recently, portrayals of Uhura, especially by Saldaña, have allowed the character to evolve into the strong figure she could have been, had Star Trek: TOS not been produced in the 1960s. Saldaña’s depiction presents Uhura as a capable leader and advocate, participating in missions, saving the day, and finding romance.
Moreover, Celia Rose Gooding’s version of Uhura in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds offers a refreshingly relatable take; she portrays an uncertain ensign in contrast to the boldness that Nichols’ Uhura represented, including rocking her natural hair on the bridge, a decision Gooding actively pursued after learning about Nichols’ styling restrictions during TOS.
These contemporary portrayals of Uhura have added remarkable depth to a character with the potential for much more. Should fans eventually get the chance to see Star Trek 4, there are countless ways for Saldaña to develop Uhura’s story further. If Saldaña has her wish, we might even witness Uhura stepping up as captain within the Kelvin Timeline.
Source: Variety
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