Kirk and Spock have done very well for themselves, with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto striking lucrative deals to reprise their roles for a possible Star Trek 4.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Chris and Zachary have bagged big raises to return as Captain Kirk and pointy-eared Spock respectively, ensuring they would be on board for a fourth instalment – to the tune of several million dollars each.

This is the first sign of a potential sequel to Star Trek 3, which is currently in production.

Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto on the red carpet during the Star Trek: Into Darkness UK premiere in 2013 (Jon Furniss/Invision)
Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto on the red carpet during the Star Trek: Into Darkness UK premiere in 2013 (Jon Furniss/Invision)

When Chris and Zachary signed on as part of the original cast for the 2009 reboot, they did so with an option for two sequels.

But now a fourth film is on the horizon and seven years have passed since the original contracts were signed, Paramount has had to offer big money to keep the stars on board for any potential future sequels.

Since taking up the role of Kirk, Chris has gone on to star in films such as Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, while Zachary has appeared in The Slap and Girls.

The deal will mean that one of the most iconic film pairings, Kirk and Spock, would remain intact.

Star Trek 3 will be released in July 2016.