Chris Pine to star in The Catch with Emma Stone

Chris Pine is in talks to star opposite Emma Stone in The Catch.

The Bugonia actress will be directed by her husband Dave McCary in Universal Pictures' upcoming romantic comedy and according to Deadline, Star Trek actor Chris is set to sign on as the male lead.

Little is known about the plot of The Catch - which has been written by Patrick Kang and Michael Levin - other than it being described as a two-hander rom-com.

Emma has been looking at several options for her next project but if Chris does sign on, The Catch is likely to be the next film she shoots.

According to reports, once it became known that Emma was looking at The Catch, several stars put themselves forward for the male lead but Chris has landed it after multiple meetings with producers and executives.

Shawn Levy and Dan Levine will produce through 21 Laps, as will Emma, Dave and Ali Herting through Fruit Tree - who have a first-look deal with Universal - and Michael H. Weber.

Meanwhile Chris recently insisted he had been kept in the dark about a new Star Trek movie.

It was revealed last year that Paramount Pictures have brought in Dungeons + Dragons: Honor Among Thieves filmmakers John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein to write and direct a new installment in the beloved sci-fi franchise, nine years on from the release of last film Star Trek Beyond, but the 45-year-old actor - who played Captain Kirk in three films between 2006 and 2016 - hasn't been approached about getting involved.

Asked about the project at the Variety Studio presented by Audible at the Sundance Film Festival, he said: “You probably know more than I do.”

But Chris urged those involved with the new mopvie to "have fun" with the series.

He added: “Advice? Have fun, good luck, live long and prosper.”

His co-star Simon Pegg previously admitted he would be "so happy" if he got to play Scotty again after playing the role in three movies.

Speaking on a panel at STLV: Trek to Vegas 2025, he told fans: “J.J. [Abrams] has always said that there are scripts being developed and this and that. I think it's about time. It would be great to see us 10 years after the five-year mission, where we are.

“If we make another Star Trek, I'll be so happy because I just want to see my friends again. I see them occasionally.

“They all live in Los Angeles. I saw Zoe [Saldaña] this year, which was lovely. I saw Karl [Urban] a couple of times when I was working on The Boys. But I miss Chris [Pine] and I miss John [Cho]. We've been through a lot together.

“We've been through good times, bad times. And I would love to be able to hang out with those guys again.”

A fourth Star Trek movie had been in the works at Paramount Pictures - with The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman previously being attached before he exited the film in 2022 - for some time though the project has faced development issues.

Simon hoped the wheels on a fourth Star Trek movie will begin to turn now that Skydance Media has taken over Paramount, with its CEO David Ellison being a big fan of the franchise.

The Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning actor said: “Well, I know David Ellison is a big Star Trek fan. I know he cares about the series. So I would love it.

“I would be delighted if we could make another film. I love those guys.”