Star Trek producer JJ Abrams has stated that Yelchin's character will not be recast.
Yelchin (27) was killed tragically when he was crushed between a car and a wall in June earlier this year. His death sparked an abundance of tributes and sent shock waves around the film community. Yelchin has played Pavel Chekov in the sci-fi film reboot and will star in posthumously in Star Trek Beyond out this Friday. With a fourth film confirmed for the Star Trek film franchise, Yelchin's character of Chekov will not be replaced by another.
“I would say there’s no replacing him,” Abrams concluded, “There’s no recasting. I can’t possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better.”
What will be the fate of the character of Chekov remains unknown, whether he will be killed off in the franchise or simply leave for another galaxy. Abrams himself couldn't grant any further details on this matter; “I have thought about it, we’re working on it, and it’s too early to talk about it.”
Fans can see Yelchin's final performance as Pavel Chekov when Star Trek Beyond hits cinemas this Friday.