Oh, you didn’t think Quentin Tarantino pitching an idea for a new Star Trek movie to J.J. Abrams that he might end up directing couldn’t get any stranger? Sit with me for a moment, my friends. Here, I made you some nice cocoa. Marshmallows are there on the table if you like. Careful now, it’s a bit hot.

Everything about this was unexpected, of course. But one of the things that made it especially surprising was the part about Tarantino possibly directing. Not only has he never made a big blockbuster type movie—he’s only made eight movies total with a ninth on the way, and there’s been whispers of him potentially retiring from filmmaking after his 10th—but each and every one of his films has been R-rated. Star Trek movies, as you’re likely aware, are not R-rated.

But never fear, Tarantino fans. As it turns out, even Star Trek is R-rated when it comes from Quentin. In fact, it was one of his requirements.

According to Deadline, the project is now moving quickly. Tarantino spent hours with potential writers, including Mark L. Smith (The Revenant, Vacancy), Lindsey Beer (The Kingkiller Chronicle, Godzilla vs. Kong), and Drew Pearce (Iron Man 3, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation).

The group spent the time sharing ideas, and one of the writers will be given the job of working on a script. The report says that Smith is currently the frontrunner for the gig. While the chosen writer is working on that, Tarantino will film his next project, a movie set in 1969 Los Angeles featuring the Manson family murders as a backdrop. That movie has names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Tom Cruise, and Brad Pitt mentioned as potential stars.

As for the rating, Tarantino insisted it be his usual R and surprisingly both Abrams and Paramount agreed to it. At least for now. Usually gigantic movies like this are a PG-13 or lower. Movies like Deadpool, Logan, and most recently IT have reaffirmed that R-rated movies can still be successful, so long as the right talent is making them, but this is a different animal entirely.

Deadpool cost about $60 million to make; Logan almost $100 million, which is significant for an R-rated title; IT around $35 million. The past three Star Trek movies, on the other hand, have cost between $150 million and $190 million each. So Paramount either really likes the pitch, really likes the idea of Tarantino Trek, or both. It will truly be interesting to see how this plays out as it continues moving forward.

Oh and apologies about the hot cocoa, I know it was awful. I didn’t actually have any, so I just melted down some M&M’s and mixed with water and powdered creamer.

[Source: Deadline]

Follow me on Twitter.