After weeks of rumors, it’s finally official: Roberto Orci will direct Star Trek 3. In the past few weeks, the writer/producer has gone from wanting to direct, to emerging as the frontrunner, to officially signing on to helm the next installment in the iconic science fiction franchise.
According to Variety, Orci is currently writing the story with newcomers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. We don’t have any plot details just yet, but Orci revealed in interviews after Star Trek Into Darkness came out that he’d like to continue the story during the Enterprise’s five-year journey into the far reaches of space.
Giving Orci the wheel to the Enterprise is a risky and bold move for Paramount, considering that the film will mark his directorial debut. The studio needs a big hit here, since Star Trek Into Darkness failed to live up to the lofty expectations set by its predecessor, and I’m not sure if Orci is the right man for the job. He has spent plenty of time developing high-profile projects and blockbusters, and has likely learnt a few tricks along the way, but still, to give a huge blockbuster like this to a first time director might end in disaster (see: 47 Ronin).
Tell us, are you excited, or nervous to see Roberto Orci direct Star Trek 3? Let us know in the comments section below!