Chris Pine: From Captain Kirk to Jack Ryan?

Chris Pine showed quite a knack for stepping into some big shoes when he took on the role of James T. Kirk in the blockbuster Star Trek, and it looks like he’s poised to take over another role in another reboot (cause, you know… Hollywood doesn’t have enough reboots right now).

Variety.com is reporting that Pine is in talks to play Jack Ryan in the latest take on the franchise based on the Tom Clancy novels. Paramount Pictures, the same studio that released the aforementioned Star Trek is planning on releasing The Art of Making Money, working from a script draft based on the novel.

If Pine does indeed get the role, he will be the fourth Jack Ryan. Alec Baldwin originated the role in The Hunt for Red October, who was followed by Harrison Ford in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Finally, Ben Affleck took on the part in The Sum of All Fears (Another quick Trek connection: Gates McFadden, who played Beverly Crusher, had a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-her” part as Ryan’s wife in The Hunt for Red October).

It sure looks like Pine is moving up after this summer. He’s already landed a role opposite Denzel Washington in Unstoppable and the studio is already working on the anticipated Trek sequel. I thought he did a damn fine job as Kirk and I think he’s got the chops to pull off the Jack Ryan character. Of course, if Ben Affleck can play him, anyone can. Either way, looks like Hollywood has found it’s new go-to guy when they need an action-adventure-science-fiction-movie-based-on-a-tv-show reboot.

Read the full article about Chris Pine’s new role at Variety.com.