Chris Pine Says Asking For ‘Star Wars’ Role Would Not Have Been Good For His Career

Chris Pine is no stranger to Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams. Abrams was at the helm of the first two Star Trek reboot movies in which Pine starred as Captain James T. Kirk. Hitting up Abrams for a spot in the new Star Wars was never on Pine’s mind, however, as a recent interview with Moviefone reveals.

Moviefone asked about the prospects of working on a Star Trek film without Abrams in the director’s chair. The interviewer, perhaps jokingly, inquired if Pine had pitched an additional appearance in Star Wars, which would give him a role in two major sci-fi franchises. Pine denied he would take such a step, implying it wouldn’t endear him to the powers that be.

“That would not have been the smartest move on my part, for my career, I would think.”

Pine said he was anxious to get started on Star Trek 3 because of the camaraderie between the actors.

“Yeah… I mean, I just want to see my friends, I want to work with my friends. We have such a great time together. I can’t wait to see what ridiculousness they throw us into. But above and beyond anything, they’re just a great bunch. We laugh a lot.”

The Moviefone interview was published on December 22, shortly after Roberto Orci was reported to be no longer directing. Justin Lin was named as his replacement and Orci recently confirmed he is not writing the new Star Trek script. Chris Pine told Moviefone what he knew of the film’s status.

“With ‘Trek,’ I don’t know. I think we’re shooting next year. I don’t know anything about the story but I haven’t read the script. I am pretty sure there is a script but I haven’t read it yet.”

In the same interview, Pine said he regretted that his shot at the Tom Clancy character Jack Ryan did not pan out at the box office. Ryan was the central figure in past hits including The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games. Variety reports that Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit made a modest $135.5 million worldwide and had a production budget of $60 million. Pine said the film was not lucrative enough to warrant a sequel.

“That’s one of my deep regrets, that we didn’t totally get that right. It’s a great franchise, and if it’s not me, then I hope it gets a fifth life at this point. It’s just great. I love the spy genre. I hope it’s done again and with a great story.”

Chris Pine plays a prince in the new film Into the Woods, working alongside acting powerhouses Meryl Streep and Anna Kendrick. In an episode of Watch What Happens Live, Kendrick used poetic language to dish on what it was like to kiss Pine.

“Cinnamon in a meadow. Dreams.”

Into the Woods is in theatres now. Star Trek 3 is scheduled for July, 2016 release.

[Chris Pine image via FanPop]