It could be Star Trek to Star Wars for Chris Pine. Rumor has it that Pine is slated for the leading role in the Rogue Squadron film project. Could this be true? If so, what would that mean? It appears to bode well for the franchise.
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Chris Pine and the Rogue Squadron Film
As Captain Kirk in the Star Trek movie series from 2009 to 2016, Chris Pine is rumored to be taking a captain’s role in the Rogue Squadron film announced in 2020. This potential starring slot would follow his more recent work in two Wonder Woman movies.
Patty Jenkins is reported to be the director of Rogue Squadron, a film meant to introduce “a new generation of starfighter pilots” through an original story. In 2022, the project was apparently placed back in motion and could potentially reunite Jenkins and Pine, who worked together on Wonder Woman.
Recent articles have speculated about how “the project is now believed to be moving forward” and how Pine is the frontrunner for the leading role. This project is in the development and drafting stage, as Jenkins has commented, but it seems likely to happen.
Rogue Squadron could bode well for the Disney-led Star Wars franchise since the movie promises “a boundary-pushing, high-speed thrill-ride” that brings audiences into a future timeline. Pine could support that vision and breathe new life into the franchise.
What Does Pine in Rogue Squadron Mean?
If the rumors hold true, this could be a boost to Star Wars. Fans have commented on how they would “love to see” Chris Pines in this film. Some would even like to see Pines star in a trilogy instead of a one-off. Yet, that optimism could be tempered by those who feel Disney is trying to use “star power” to compensate for strong writing and production.
Whether Rogue Squadron starring Pine would be a positive move forward or a masking of Disney errors could largely depend on the merits of Jenkin’s storytelling and the acting of Pine. Let’s briefly assess both to determine what this project could mean for Star Wars.
When Pine was promoting Wonder Woman 1984, he spoke about how if anyone could “breathe fresh, new life” into the project and the franchise, it would be Jenkins. We may well trust him, given his experience working with her in the role of Captain Steve Trevor, a World War I Army Air Service pilot.
Jenkins also draws from her own experience to bolster this film. Her father, Captain William T. Jenkins, served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. She has commented on how her father has motivated her desire to make Rogue Squadron.
Jenkins has indicated how she “always wanted to make a fighter pilot movie” to honor her father. Since Star Wars originally sprang from World War II connections, this concept aligns well with the galaxy. Moreover, her personal vision could very well breathe new life into Star Wars.
As for Pine’s acting, we seem to be on promising ground too. As fans attest to here, Pine should arguably be in more movies, including the Rogue Squadron project. He may bring star power to the franchise, but it does not seem like it will be a masking effort. In comparison, we saw Jude Law in The Skeleton Crew, as his role enhanced that series.
Chris Pine in Rogue Squadron
Star Wars fans hope the rumors that Rogue Squadron is moving forward are true. Likewise, we should consider the possibility of Chris Pine in the starring role as a hopeful sign that the film will take us in new directions. Jenkins’s creative talents should open up a Star Wars future that transcends the Skywalker saga.