LOS ANGELES – With the imminent release of Star Trek Beyond – the third of the J.J. Abrams-era of Trek films – a fourth is already, “100% yes,” says producer Abrams.

But what happens to the character of Ensign Pavel Chekov, following the freakish auto mishap that killed 27-year-old actor Anton Yelchin a month ago?

In an exclusive interview with Postmedia Network, Abrams said the filmmakers have begun talks on dealing with his loss in the script. But one thing that is certain is that Chekov will not be recast.

“I would say there’s no replacing him. There’s no recasting. I can’t possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better,” Abrams said.

In Star Trek Beyond, directed by Justin Lin, Yelchin’s character gets his most screen time thus far, as an encounter with a malevolent alien swarm forces the Enterprise crew to abandon ship and survive on a planet in small teams – Chekov and Captain Kirk (Christopher Pine) among them.

We have testimonials to Yelchin from Pine and other Star Trek cast that are to come.

Meanwhile, Abrams says, “We knew going into this movie it would be a bit of a heartbreak just because of Leonard (Nimoy, the original Spock, who died as Star Trek beyond was in pre-production, and whose death is noted in the plot). We had no idea just how devastating events would become.”

Is the character of Chekov himself going to be killed off? “I have thought about it, we’re working on it, and it’s too early to talk about it,” he said.

Twitter: @jimslotek

JSlotek@postmedia.com