‘Star Trek 3’: Jon M. Chu Won’t Direct Upcoming Sequel

Despite what your friends may have told you on Twitter, Fast and Furious 6 director Jon M. Chu hasn’t been approached to helm Star Trek 3.

Since busy filmmaker J.J. Abrams is currently putting together Star Wars: Episode VII for the folks at Disney and Lucasfilm, it’s believed that Paramount Pictures is looking for someone else to tackle the next Star Trek flick. One person the studio reportedly wanted for the gig was Chu.

Reports about the director’s involvement with Star Trek 3 originated at the frequently unreliable Latino Review. The guys are definitely hit and miss with their inside information, leading many to wonder if there was any truth to these rumors.

If the studio really wants Jon M. Chu to direct the flick, then nobody bothered to mention it to him. According to The Huffington Post, representatives for the filmmaker said the guy has yet to be approached by Paramount for Star Trek 3.

Since it doesn’t take long for internet rumors to shift gears these days, reports are now suggesting that Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt is the studio’s top choice for Star Trek 3. Again, nothing has been confirmed by the director or Paramount at the moment.

In this writer’s opinion, both Chu and Wyatt are both strong choices for the sequel. In addition to working with big budgets and popular franchises, the filmmakers know how to deliver incredible set pieces. It remains to be seen if either of the fellas are interested in taking the reigns from Abrams.

Speaking of the Episode VII director, another set of rumors suggested that he was leaving Star Wars in order to complete his work on the Star Trek franchise. Not surprisingly, these reports also turned out to be completely false.

“There is no truth to the rumor. J.J. is having a great time working on the script and is looking forward to going into production next year,” a Lucasfilm representative explained.

Who do you think should direct Star Trek 3? Are Jon M. Chu and Rupert Wyatt good candidates?

[Image via Paramount Pictures]