The road for Star Trek 3 has been a bumpy one. After director JJ Abrams left the project for Star Wars it was announced that writer Roberto Orci would step in to write and direct the film. The pressure must have built given this would have been his first feature film the writer then stepped away from the project. He goes onto reveal he would neither write nor direct the sequel but simply produce. Then we heard several directors were being looked at to direct the new project including Fast & Furious director Justin Lin. Now it's being reported by Deadline that Scotty himself Simon Pegg had signed on to rewrite the script with another Doug Jung.

It's been a bumpy ride to get Star Trek 3 off the ground ever since former director JJ Abrams jump ship for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. At one time it was announced that longtime screenwriter and first time director Roberto Orci would take over as director on the three-quel. Well, he quickly stepped down from that position and now Deadline is reporting that Fast & Furious director Justin Lin will be helming the project. Lin single-handedly kick-started the Fast & Furious franchise after Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift bombed.

Today, Deadline announced the shortlist of directors Paramount is looking at to direct the crew of the Enterprise in Star Trek 3. This comes after the original director of the first two films JJ Abrams left the chair to direct Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Then it looked like longtime screenwriter but first time director Roberto Orci would make his feature film debut on Star Trek 3 but also backed out eventually. Now it's reported that the top 5 contenders included Warcraft director Duncan Jones, Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt as well as Fast & Furious helmer Justin Lin. Rounding out the top 5 then includes Safe House director Daniel Espinosa and The Imitation Game director Morten Tyldum.

Very flattering being on short list for Star Trek, but won't be doing it. Absolutely MUST make my own thing next, or I'll die of old age!
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) December 15, 2014

News broke today from Deadline that first time director and frequent screenwriter Roberto Orci is stepping down from helming Star Trek 3. This comes after he wrote the first two scripts for director JJ Abrams and was set to make his directorial debut with this massive project. Badass Digest has gone onto learn the plot of his script (written by Patrick McKay & JD Payne) and how it has been thrown out completely:

My sources tell me that the script Orci was working on saw the Enterprise, the Vulcans and a new alien race competing to get a time travel device. The Vulcans want to go back and stop the destruction of their planet, and the time travel schtick is what would allow Chris Pine and William Shatner to share the screen 

This potentially has thrown out the idea that William Shatner would return to the franchise alongside his younger self played by Chris Pine. Much like how Lenard Nimoy has appeared alongside Zachary Quinto as Spock.


But do not fret Star Trek nerds! It is also being reported that Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright is being eyed to take over as director. His longtime friend and frequent collaborator Joe Cornish (Attack the Block) was at one time also rumored to direct Star Trek 3 after JJ Abrams departure so don't be surprised if he helps write the new script with Wright. It should also be noted that Edgar Wright also directed several scenes in Star Trek into Darkness alongside JJ Abrams.

I'm hearing the TREK 3 script is dumped, which I'm assuming means McKay and Payne are out as well. Best of luck to those guys, if so.
— Devin Faraci (@devincf) December 6, 2014

Several weeks ago the guys over at Badass Digest revealed that in the upcoming Star Trek film a scene was written that would have Spock Prime (Leonard Nimoy) and older James Kirk (William Shatner) to somehow appear together on screen. This hasn't been seen since 1994's Star Trek Generations . Of course William Shatner took to his Twitter page to dispute this has nothing more than an internet rumor.

Well, now Shatner was seen at the Wizard World Comic-Con (via Comicbook.com) and was asked again about the Star Trek 3 rumor. This time however the longtime actor confirmed he has indeed been contacted by JJ Abrams who is producing the project on the possibility of appearing in Star Trek 3.

Today, Deadline is reporting due to his directorial commitments to the upcoming Star trek sequel. Writer and now director Roberto Orci has left the upcoming Power Rangers reboot. He will have some credit with the story though since screenwriters Ashley Miller & Zack Stentz will base their script off his story treatment.
 After the travesty that was The Amazing Spider-Man 2....it is probably for the best.No cast or director has yet signed onto this reboot.

Today Paramount Pictures International SVP Edward Ryan came on stage at this years CineEurope 2014 to talk about Paramounts plan for their massive franchises. These franchises includes sci-fi favorites like Star Trek and Transformers. Or even Mission Impossible, Terminator and G.I.Joe.

First they announced that next year in 2015 we will see the upcoming Terminator semi-reboot Terminator: Genesis as well as Mission Impossible 5.

They then went onto to talk about their future plans in 2016 and announced that G.I.Joe 3, Transformers 5 and Star Trek 3 are all slated to hit in 2016!


This comes off word several months ago that Paramount was considering releasing the next installment in the Transformers saga in 2017. This was never confirmed but did make the most sense. We then got word that Transformers 5 is all dependent on how well Transformers: Age of Extinction will do. It seems they have massive faith in the sequel-trilogy to continue it only two years after Age of Extinction.


It has long been suggested that Star Trek 3 will be aiming for the 50th Anniversary of the original series in 2016 so it's nice to see a confirmation. This comes off word last month that Roberto Orci will be taking a crack at his first directors chair after JJ Abrams left to work on Star Wars VII.


Lastly, it has been announced that the sequel to G.I.Joe: Retalition will hit in 2016 as well! It's unknown if The Rock or director Jon M. Chu will return for G.I.Joe 3 but currently Jon M. Chu left Masters of the Universe for Jem & the Holograms.

Don't tell me a G.I.Joe/Transformers crossover wouldn't be cool though?!

After the split from scribes Roberto Orci and Alex Kutzman a few weeks ago it seems Rob Orci has already moved onto bigger and better things according to Deadline. While Alex Kutzman is focusing on directing Venom over at Sony, Paramount will end up going with Roberto Orci to helm Star Trek 3 in his directorial debut.

He is the clear choice by both Paramount and JJ Abrams to take over the franchise in Abrams absence. While he hasn't officially signed he is indeed the frontrunner. Roberto Orci credits including screenwriting the first two Star Treks as well as Transformers, Fringe and the recent The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Variety got the scoop that the writing duo Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman behind the rebooted Star Trek, Transformers, Amazing Spider-Man 2 and TV hit Fringe are officially parting ways. It will not be based off any cruel judgement between them but so they can grow as directors in their separate careers. The two will still work together on TV projects...

Roberto Orci is currently working on Star Trek 3 script and maybe called upon to direct. While Alex Kurtzman is looking to Sony's Venom spin off film as director.

Today Variety is reporting Attack the Block director Joe Cornish is out of the running for Star Trek 3. Even though he was never officially offered the job he was working closely with the team before dropping out. Also as reported earlier Alex Kutzman dropped out of writing. Newbie writers J.D Payne and Patrick McKay join Robert Orci to pen the script.

It seems like its gonna be mighty hard to hit that supposed 2016 release date.

 
1.) The CW Developing a 'Young Justice' TV Series? :: LINK ::

2.) Gal Gadot Cast as 'Wonder Woman' :: LINK ::

3.) 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' Teaser Trailer ::LINK ::

4.) 'X-Men: Apocalypse' Hits in 2016 :: LINK ::

5.) 'Star Trek 3' Released in 2016 :: LINK ::

Today The Hollywood Reporter dropped news that Paramount is planning to release Star Trek 3 in 2016 to match up with the 50th Anniversary:

"The next Star Trek film is untitled and unscheduled, but Paramount and Skydance are hoping to have a film in time for the franchise to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016."

They add that J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay will also join Robert Orci to pen the script. No word if Alex Kurtzman or Damon Lindelof will return. Its still is without a director with JJ Abrams going to a galaxy Far, Far Away. 

Today Simon Pegg spoke with BBC via Yahoo Movie UK about Mission Impossible 5 and other major films filming in the United Kingdom. Well he also let slip that Star Trek 3 may film there also:

"I know for a fact that 'Mission [Impossible 5]' is shooting here in the UK," he said. "There's a lot of big productions in the UK next year - 'Star Wars', 'The Avengers', 'Mission'. I think maybe even 'Star Trek 3', there's talk of it shooting here… so there won't be any crews for small films!"

As many know this shouldn't come as much of a surprise given the tax breaks over there. Also, director JJ Abrams may or may not return to the Star Trek franchise due to a little movie called Star Wars.