It appears as if rumours about Roberto Orci not having the cleanest of breaks with Paramount Pictures over Star Trek 3 are accurate, as the writer (who was also set to direct for quite some time) has confirmed that he will serve only as producer. Exactly how much involvement he will now have in the threequel is unclear.
We previously heard that disputes over the script led to Orci’s departure as director, so who exactly is handling writing duties as of this moment is also something we have no real idea about. We do however know for sure that Fast & Furious helmer Justin Lin has taken over directing duties on Star Trek 3.
The news about The Amazing Spider-Man 2 co-writer being only a producer on the Star Trek Into Darkness follow-up comes from Orci, who said on a message board that, “I’m producing, [nothing] more or less.”
He had originally written the screenplay alongside Patrick McKay and John D. Payne, and it appears as if his dismissal from that part of the project and the fact that he’s no longer directing has dampened his enthusiasm somewhat. Asked by a fan if he supported the current direction the movie is going in, he said: “I won’t lie, I don’t know yet, but the story we are talking about would be awesome, hang in there!”
It was also revealed recently that Star Trek 3 will be released on July 8th, 2016. That was the date originally held by Marvel’s Doctor Strange before that was moved to November. It is now the only movie being released on that day, though it follows both David Yates’ Tarzan and Steven Spielberg’s The BFG.
