Chris Hemsworth's 'set to return' in Star Trek 4 as Kirk's father, JJ Abrams reveals

He died heroically in the heart stopping opening sequence of the rebooted Star Trek in 2009. Now it looks like Chris Hemsworth, who played George Kirk, the father that Captain James T. Kirk never knew, will return in the fourth film in the franchise, according to Access Hollywood's Scott Mantz. Space hero: Chris Hemsworth may return to Star Trek 4 as George Kirk, Jame's T. Kirk's father, who gave his life to save more than 800 when his ship crashed in the tragic opening sequence of the 2009 reboot Presumably this will involve some sort of time travel, not outside the realm of possibility since the first film's plot was driven by the concept. Breaking news: Access Hollywood's Scott Mantz tweeted the exclusive at a junket in Los Angeles for Star Trek Beyond on Friday Chris has yet to comment about the possibility of returning to the space franchise on his Instagram or Twitter accounts. Suiting up: The 32-year-old Australian actor at the premiere of the rebooted Star Trek at the Chinese Theater on April 30, 2009 in Hollywood Star Trek Beyond will premiere during Comic-Con in San Deigo so it's possible the casting announcement will be officially made then.