A couple of month ago it was reported Roberto Orci – who co-wrote and produced the first two Star Trek films – was lobbying to replace JJ Abrams in the director’s chair for Star Trek 3.
Many thought the fact he’s never directed a feature-length film made him a longshot, but now Variety confirms that he will indeed be in the hot-seat for the third rebooted Starfleet adventure.
Unsurprisingly there are no plot details known yet, but most of the main cast, including Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, are expected to return.
Roberto Orci co-wrote both of the previous films alongside Aliex Kurtzman. Now he and Kurtzman have split their longtime partnership, so Orci writing Star Trek 2 with John D. Payne and Patrick McKay. Kurtzman meanwhile is hoping to get his own major directing gig with the Spider-man spin-off Venom.
J.J. Abrams will still produce, although he’ll mainly be busy with Star Wars.