Star Trek 4 has been delayed for over 8 years, but if it happens, the fourth film produced by JJ Abrams Star Trek the film may finally feature Nurse Christine Chapel. Abrams successfully rebooted Star Trek in 2009 and proved that the iconic characters of Star Trek: The Original Series could be recast with younger actors. However, a significant Terms of Service character not seen in JJ Abrams Star Trek It’s Nurse Capela.
Originally played by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, Nurse Chapel was the chief assistant to the USS Enterprise’s medical director, Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (DeForest Kelley) in Star Trek: The Original Series. Chapel was mainly known for her unrequited love for Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy). However, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds revitalized the Nurse Chapel. Played by Jess Bush, Strange new worlds gave Chapel a richer character and more agency so that Christine is now a brilliant, resourceful and determined Starfleet officer who seeks a greater destiny beyond a romance with Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck).
Star Trek Kelvin Timeline Movies Have Repeatedly Teased Nurse Chapel
Nurse Chapel has already been renamed
Nurse Chapel was not seen or heard from in JJ Abrams Star Trek movies, but Christine definitely exists in the alternate Kelvin timeline. McCoy (Karl Urban) smuggles James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) aboard the starship Enterprise in Star Trek (2009), Bones asks Nurse Chapel to administer treatment for Kirk’s allergic reaction to the Melvaran mud flea vaccine. However, there are several nurses on the scene, and none of them are assigned to be Chapel Nurses. However, Chapel was aboard the Enterprise during Star Trek (2009).
Nurse Chapel does not appear in Star Trek in the Darkbut Christine is quoted by Dr. Carol Marcus (Alice Eve). While Marcus is undressing and talking to Captain Kirk on a shuttlecraft, she mentions Christine Chapel, with whom Jim has had previous intimate relations. However, the distracted Kirk seemed to have “I have no idea” who Carol was talking about. In a deleted scene from Star Trek Into Darkness, Dr. McCoy mentions that Chapel contracted an STD from Kirk, so perhaps it’s for the best that this moment was removed from the film.
Star Trek 4 is Nurse Chapel’s best (and probably last) chance to appear in the Kelvin timeline
Strange New Worlds Made Nurse Chapel a Vital Character
Star Trek 4 it would potentially be the best and last chance for Nurse Christine Chapel to appear in Kelvin’s alternate timeline. Chapel could easily be back aboard the USS Enterprise, and she could even be a foil to Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy. Interestingly, Chapel did not have a romance – unrequited or otherwise – with Spock (Zachary Quinto) in Star Trek’Kelvin Timeline, but Christine’s presence can make Captain Kirk uncomfortable, which can lead to comedic moments.
Since Star Trek 4 would be set years after the last film produced by JJ Abrams Star Trek film, directed by Justin Lin Star Trek BeyondChapel and the crew of the USS Enterprise would be in their 40s, as they all started at Starfleet Academy together at roughly the same age. It would be logical for Chapel to no longer be a nurse in Star Trek 4. Dr. Christine Chapel would be a welcome addition and could provide competition for Dr. McCoy. Still, it would be fantastic to see Kelvin Timeline’s Dr. Chapel in action in Star Trek 4.
The Star Trek Movies Are Losing Out By Keeping Nurse Chapel Offscreen
Chris Pine’s company needs more female characters
Despite the dizzying pace of Star Trek movies starring Chris Pine, There’s a palpable void in the USS Enterprise’s infirmary without a nurses’ chapel. Although Dr. McCoy was able to easily oversee all medical complications aboard the Enterprise without a primary nurse, Chapel’s presence was missed. The USS Enterprise feels incomplete without Nurse Chapel, and her omission Star Trek (2009), Star Trek in the Darkand Star Trek Beyond It’s been disappointing. Yet, Star Trek 4 can fix it.
After the tragic death in 2006 of Anton Yelchin, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov, Jaylah would likely be his replacement in the Star Trek 4.
Nurse Chapel could also solve the persistent problem of JJ Abrams’ lack of female characters. Star Trek. Lieutenant Nyota Uhura (Zoe Saldana) is the only main female character aboard the USS Enterprise. Alice Eve’s Dr. Carol Marcus wasn’t in Star Trek Beyond after controversy arose over Carol in Star Trek Into Darkness. Star Trek Beyond commendably added Jaylah (Sofia Boutella)who would hopefully return in Star Trek 4. Finally, bringing in Christine Chapel would bolster the Enterprise’s female characters and debut the missing STar Trek: The Original Series icon.
Will Star Trek 4 happen with or without Nurse Chapel?
Star Trek 4 is reportedly in the works
Star Trek 4 has been in development hell for years, with directors like Matt Shakman, SJ Clarkson and Quentin Tarantino leaving Star Trek 4 on creative differences. Despite a report in early 2024 that screenwriter Steve Yockey (The flight attendant) was hired to write “the final chapter” from the crew of Chris Pine’s USS Enterprise, there has been no update or further news regarding the status of Star Trek 4. Instead, Paramount Pictures is moving forward with a Untitled Star Trek Origin film directed by Toby Haynes, which is in development to potentially be filmed in 2025 and released in 2026 for Star Trek60th anniversary.
Yet, Star TrekThe film’s cast has publicly stated their interest in returning to the Enterprise if Star Trek 4 it happens. Whether this will finally include nurse (or doctor) Christine Chapel is anyone’s guess. Star Trek 4 gets the green light. An interesting aspect of the Chapel in Star Trek 4 will be the one cast in the role. Jess Bush is acclaimed and popular as Nurse Chapel in StarTrek: Strange New Worldsbut she’s playing Chapel in her 20s. Kelvin Timeline’s Christine Chapel would be in its 40s like Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk and the rest of his cast. Hopefully, Star Trek 4 happens, and Nurse Chapel is aboard the starship Enterprise as it transforms into a new big-screen adventure.