Veteran producer Simon Kinberg, who steered the majority of the "X-Men" franchise for 20th Century Fox, is now in negotiations to helm an upcoming "Star Trek" movie for Paramount Pictures, as confirmed by Variety. This eagerly awaited project has been brewing within the studio for quite some time, with Seth Grahame-Smith, the mastermind behind "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," crafting the screenplay, and Toby Haynes, renowned for his work on "Andor" and "Black Mirror: USS Callister," at the helm as director. Insider whispers suggest that this film aims to serve as an origin tale for the core timeline of the "Star Trek" universe, rather than the alternate Kelvin timeline that debuted with the 2009 reboot. It's set in the aftermath of humanity's initial encounter with extraterrestrial life, promising a thrilling exploration of the unknown.
Kinberg embarked on his journey as a screenwriter, penning such hits as "XXX: State of the Union" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" before stepping into the "X-Men" franchise as a co-screenwriter for "X-Men: The Last Stand" in 2006. Since then, he's transitioned into a producer's role for every subsequent "X-Men" installment, capping off his tenure with a directorial debut in 2019's "Dark Phoenix." His producing credits also include the critically acclaimed "The Martian" and "Fantastic Four," as well as the first two installments of the "Deadpool" franchise. And now, at the helm of this "Star Trek" adventure, Kinberg is poised to take the franchise to new heights, alongside his collaborator Kevin Hart in the upcoming 2024 Netflix film "Life."
Kinberg embarked on his illustrious career as a screenwriter, initially etching out the scripts for blockbusters such as "XXX: State of the Union" and the action-packed romance "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" in 2005. His journey then took a thrilling turn when he joined the esteemed "X-Men" franchise, co-writing the screenplay for the adrenaline-fueled "X-Men: The Last Stand" in 2006. Since then, he seamlessly transitioned into the role of producer, helming every subsequent installment of the franchise with his keen eye and deft touch.
His directorial debut came with a bang, as he steered the final chapter of the "X-Men" saga, "Dark Phoenix," in 2019. The film marked a fitting culmination to his journey with the franchise, showcasing his mastery of the genre.
Beyond the "X-Men" universe, Kinberg has also produced a diverse array of films that have captivated audiences worldwide. His credits include the sci-fi thriller "The Martian" and the superhero reboot "Fantastic Four," both released in 2015. He also lent his producing talents to the first two hilarious and action-packed "Deadpool" movies.
Most recently, Kinberg has teamed up with comedic legend Kevin Hart to produce the highly anticipated Netflix film "Life," set to release in 2024. This collaboration promises to bring a fresh and exciting perspective to the big screen, further solidifying Kinberg's reputation as a filmmaker of remarkable vision and talent.
