‘Star Trek 3’ To Be Helmed By Justin Lin

Star Trek 3 has had its fair share of production delays, including the loss of its director. Two weeks ago, it was revealed that Robert Orci would no longer be directing the third installment of the Star Trek reboot and, in the wake of that news, rumors abounded about who might be chosen to step in and take Orci’s place.

There were even rumors that Star Trek alum Jonathan Frakes might be interested in the job, a favored choice by many long time Star Trek fans (A.K.A. Trekkers), but it seems that was not meant to be, either. Other contenders for the Star Trek 3 director’s chair have been Edgar Wright, Rupert Wyatt, Duncan Jones, Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game) and Daniel Espinosa (Safe House). Each of the candidates had something worthwhile to bring to the project, but, in an unexpected turn, the production team has made another choice.

Variety has reported that Justin Lin has stepped in to take up the formerly vacant role of director for Star Trek 3, which still lists both J.J. Abrams and Robert Orci as producers in conjunction with Skydance Productions. Although Paramount Pictures has not yet set a release date for Star Trek 3, delays in production should be limited now that Lin has agreed to step in as director. It is still the aim of all involved to shoot for a 2016 release date for Star Trek 3 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original Star Trek series’ television debut.

While Justin Lin is new to Star Trek, he has been credited with reviving the Fast and Furious franchise having directed the third, fourth, fifth and sixth installments. If nothing else, his past experiences prove that Lin is an expert at directing successful sequels. It was hoped that Lin would return to the Fast and Furious franchise to participate in giving the series of films a grand finale, but his position with Star Trek 3 may overshadow that possibility, reports Deadline.

The initial reboot of Star Trek, directed by J.J. Abrams, was released in 2009, grossing $380 million worldwide, and was followed by the second Abrams-directed film, Star Trek: Into Darkness, which grossed more than $460 million worldwide upon its opening in May of 2013. There is little information about the plot of the third film, with Justin Lin set to direct, other than reports that Patrick McKay and John D. Payne have worked on the most recent draft of the Star Trek 3 script.

Interested in learning more about that Jonathan Frakes rumor? Inquisitr reported on it, as it happened earlier this month.