John Cho Expressed Interest in Returning to Star Trek
Actor John Cho has stated his openness to reprising his role as Sulu in the long-running science fiction franchise.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Actor John Cho recently confirmed his desire to return to the Star Trek universe as Sulu. His comments come as Paramount pivots away from the previous Kelvin-era film series.
Why it matters
Cho's public interest highlights the uncertainty surrounding the franchise's direction after the studio shifted its focus toward new, standalone projects. The potential for past cast members to return remains a point of speculation for fans of the rebooted film series.
Paramount officially moved away from the fourth installment of the Kelvin-era film series in 2025. The studio subsequently hired directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley to lead a new, independent project disconnected from prior film continuity.
The players
John Cho
John Cho is an actor known for his portrayal of Hikaru Sulu in the Kelvin-era Star Trek films.
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino is a filmmaker who previously pitched an R-rated concept for a potential Star Trek entry.
J.J. Abrams
J.J. Abrams is a director and producer who oversaw the launch of the Kelvin-era Star Trek film franchise.
Paramount
Paramount is the film studio responsible for the distribution and production of the Star Trek movie franchise.
The details
Before the studio moved toward its current plans, the franchise saw various stalled concepts, including a pitch from Quentin Tarantino to J.J. Abrams. That project, described as Pulp Fiction in space, saw a screenplay written by Mark L. Smith in 2019, though director Matt Shakman later confirmed he never read the draft.
Timeline
In 2019, The Playlist reported that a screenplay for the Tarantino-led concept existed.
Matt Shakman stated in 2023 that he had never read the Tarantino script.
Paramount ceased development on the fourth Kelvin-era film in 2025.
John Cho expressed his interest in returning to the role on September 26, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This development follows a pattern set by the abandoned Quentin Tarantino Star Trek pitch, where ambitious concepts often fail to reach the production phase. Studios frequently pivot between franchise reboots and entirely new creative directions as they manage long-standing intellectual property.
The shift away from the Kelvin-era films means audiences should not expect a direct sequel to the 2016 installment. Future franchise entries will instead focus on new continuity, potentially changing how viewers engage with the series' established characters.
The takeaway
The uncertainty surrounding Star Trek highlights the challenges studios face in balancing legacy fan favorites with the need for fresh creative directions. Viewers interested in the future of the franchise should monitor official announcements for updates on the new, disconnected project.
Further reading
For more background on the evolution of this series, read our Science Fiction coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Playlist.
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