After experiencing both episodes of Black Mirror’s compelling “USS Callister,”my anticipation for director Toby Haynes’ forthcoming Star Trek Origin film has only intensified. Originally reported in January 2024, this “Untitled Star Trek Origin”prequel is set in the timeline “decades before”J.J. Abrams’ 2009 iteration of Star Trek. A few months later, during CinemaCon, Paramount Studios officially announced the development of this film, bringing Simon Kinberg on board as a producer, alongside J.J. Abrams. Notably, Haynes also directed a sequel to “USS Callister,”released as part of Black Mirror season 4 in 2017.
“USS Callister,”along with its sequel “USS Callister Into Infinity,”serves as a clever and thought-provoking parody of Star Trek. The storyline follows Robert Daly (played by Jesse Plemons), an ambitious developer of the immersive video game Infinity, as he creates virtual sentient replicas of his coworkers and entraps them within his own twisted version of Space Fleet, an homage to an older television series. The narrative evolves when Daly’s crew aboard the USS Callister finds a way to turn the tables on their captor and flee from his digital realm. “USS Callister Into Infinity”elaborates on the journey of Nanette Cole (portrayed by Cristin Milioti) and her crew as they navigate the broader universe of Infinity.
Why “USS Callister”Highlights Toby Haynes as the Ideal Choice for Star Trek
Two “USS Callister”Episodes Under Haynes’ Direction
With a masterful homage to the visual language of Star Trek: The Original Series, Haynes illustrates his talent in the aesthetics of the franchise. “USS Callister”successfully captures the vibrant essence of this classic show, reflected in the vivid color scheme of uniforms, the use of handheld communicators, and the controversial attire of the female crew members onboard. However, this narrative is darker than mere parody—addressing critical themes of toxic masculinity, identity theft, and emotional abuse.
Robert Daly emerges as a profoundly disturbed character who inflicts torment on the digital avatars of his colleagues due to feelings of inadequacy and disrespect from both his peers and his boss, Callister Inc.’s CEO James Walton (played by Jimmi Simpson). Haynes navigates the tonal shifts between the vibrant virtual reality and Daly’s stark real-world existence, deftly handling an ensemble cast while balancing character-driven drama with thrilling sci-fi action.
Haynes boasts a rich background in the genre, directing episodes of both Doctor Who and Star Wars: Andor. His work on “USS Callister”serves as a testament to his capability for helming a Star Trek film, as he embodies the dynamic pacing and striking visuals characteristic of J.J. Abrams’ approach. Moreover, Haynes excels at crafting realistic characters with depth and nuance. Much like the finest entries in the Star Trek saga, Haynes’ storytelling is infused with humor and compelling drama—a blend that makes him uniquely suited to bring Star Trek back to life on the big screen.
Current Status of Toby Haynes’ Star Trek Origin Film
Absence of Recent Developments on Haynes’ Star Trek Project
Initially unveiled in January 2024, Haynes’ Untitled Star Trek Origin Movie was subsequently included in Paramount Pictures’ 2026 theatrical lineup. In November 2024, reports suggested that Seth Grahame-Smith’s screenplay was nearing approval, potentially positioning the film for production in 2025. However, as time has progressed, recent announcements regarding Haynes’ project have been scarce.
During Paramount Pictures’ April 2025 presentation at CinemaCon, there was no mention of the Untitled Star Trek Origin movie. While the absence of news does not necessarily indicate the project’s termination, the lack of casting updates or production timelines raises concerns about its status. Optimistically, there remains a possibility that filming could commence in 2025, aiming for a theatrical release coinciding with Star Trek’s 60th anniversary in 2026; nevertheless, the silence from Paramount is worrisome.
Why Cristin Milioti Should Be Cast in Star Trek’s Next Movie
Milioti Is an Ideal Candidate for Either a Heroic or Villainous Role in Star Trek
Should Haynes’ Star Trek Origin prequel move forward, it would be advantageous for him to cast Cristin Milioti, the standout lead from “USS Callister.”Although Jesse Plemons portrayed Robert Daly—the ostensibly central character—he was, in fact, the antagonist, while Milioti’s portrayal of Nanette Cole emerged as the true hero of the story. In the sequel, “USS Callister Into Infinity,”she rises to the role of Captain, demonstrating courage and cleverness as she navigates both virtual and real worlds.
Milioti’s ability to portray complex emotions opens the door for her to take on a variety of roles in Haynes’ Starfleet prequel. She could seamlessly transition from a heroic figure to a formidable antagonist. Female villains in Star Trek films are notably rare, and Milioti could convincingly represent an overarching threat to the galaxy for the Starfleet heroes to confront. Given the impressive storytelling portrayed in Black Mirror’s “USS Callister,”the collaboration between Haynes and Milioti holds immense potential for the Untitled Star Trek Origin movie.