Feb 27, 2007 - Paramount Pictures has made it official. After months of rumors circulating over who will direct the new Star Trek movie, Paramount confirmed Lost creator/Mission Impossible III director J J Abrams will direct the next installment in the Star Trek movie franchise.
Abrams will be reuniting with the screenwriters of MI3, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, for the Star Trek movie. According to the studio, Abrams will also serve as a producer along with his Lost partner, Damon Lindelof.
There's no word yet on the actors who'll take on the characters made famous by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and the rest of the cast of the '60s TV series. Names being tossed around as in the running include Matt Damon, Adrien Brody, and James McAvoy.
In a press released issued by Paramount, director Abrams said, "If there's something I'm dying to see, it's the brilliance and optimism of Roddenberry's world brought back to the big screen. Alex and Bob wrote an amazing script that embraces and respects Trek canon, but charts its own course. Our goal is to make a picture for everyone - life-long fans and the uninitiated. Needless to say, I am honored and excited to be part of this next chapter of Star Trek."
Brad Grey, chairman and CEO, Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Brad Grey was quoted as saying, "We could not be more thrilled to be back in business with J J Abrams. The revival of the Star Trek franchise is an important part of Paramount’s turnaround.”
Paramount plans on beginning production on the film later this year. The 11th Star Trek film (the first 10 grossed a combined $1 billion at the box office) will hit theaters in December 2008.
Star Trek Fact Sheet (courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
Source: Paramount Pictures
