Paramount Pictures sweetened the deal for Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto to return for a third "Star Trek" film in the rebooted franchise. The Kirk and Spock actors received a big pay raise before starting production this week in Vancouver.
Pine doubled his salary in the deal that also includes an option for a fourth movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The original contract from 2007 had him earning $3 million for "Star Trek 3." Now, he's set to make $6 million.
The other original players also received pay bumps, including Zoe Saldana, who joined the other popular Marvel franchise in "Guardians of the Galaxy" since the "Star Trek" movies began. The extra salary will add an extra $10 million to $15 million to the film's budget.
The first two "Star Trek" movies in the reboot grossed more than $853 million. The second film "Into Darkness" earned $80 million more than the first.
"Star Trek 3" has suffered several delays in its development. Roberto Orci was set to direct after J.J. Abrams directed the first two movies, but he left the project after executives scrapped the script he wrote, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty in the movies, and Doug Jung wrote a new script and Justin Lin was hired as the new director.
Paramount set a release date for July 8, 2016. The "Star Trek" franchise will also celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. The TV series debuted in 1966 on NBC.
