Quentin Tarantino developing R-rated Star Trek film with J.J. Abrams

Quentin Tarantino is one of the greats when it comes to directors in Hollywood. He has the ability to tackle serious matters in a fun and engaging way, he adds a bit of pizzazz to niche genres and brings them to the mainstream, and he has made films that some reflect on as masterpieces. The director usually dabbles in his own stories or does his own take on pieces in history, he avoids attaching himself to franchises but that is changing.

The raunchy director is currently developing an R-rated Star Trek film with Paramount and director/producer of the rebooted film series, J.J. Abrams. Tarantino is not writing or even directing the movie but he pitched an idea to Paramount and Abrams and the team loved the idea enough to give him the greenlight on the project. Tarantino and Paramount are currently looking at who they want to write the film but are holding off on who will direct as Tarantino may step behind the camera to helm the film after he wraps production on his 1960s period piece set around the time of the Charles Manson murders.

The acclaimed director did spend a number of hours in a writer's room with screenwriters Mark L. Smith, Lindsey Beer, Drew Pearce and Megan Amram.after Paramount gave the go ahead. Smith is potentially the frontrunner for writing the picture but no one is locked in yet. Smith is best known for his work in the film that gave Leonardo DiCaprio his long sought after Oscar, The Revenant.

Tarantino has always voiced his passion for the acclaimed Star Trek TV series in interviews and podcasts, even giving hints at what he would do with the series if given the chance. He certainly isn't just looking to take on a big franchise for the paycheck, he has a genuine interest in it. With the untitled Manson murders film set to be his 9th film, Star Trek may be the movie Tarantino chooses to retire with if he ends up directing. He has said that he plans to retire around his 10th film and will take a backseat to directing after that.

[Deadline]