Following the abrupt departure of writer-director Roberto Orci, many wondered who would be drafted in to help with the script for Star Trek 3. Granted, Fast & Furious helmer Justin Lin picked up the megaphone and stepped into the director’s chair, but today we’ve learned that Simon Pegg himself will serve as co-writer on the screenplay.
News comes to us via Deadline, after the outlet revealed that the actor — who plays Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in the sci-fi films — will work in tandem with fellow screenwriter Doug Jung in shepherding the upcoming threequel to the silver screen. Though it may seem like an odd decision, don’t forget that Pegg had an integral role in scripting Edgar Wright’s Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, not to mention Run Fatboy Run, so the actor is well versed in working in behind and in front of the camera simultaneously.
Additionally, Pegg’s involvement in the screenplay was confirmed via the actor’s Twitter feed (now operated by Harmony Carrigan), which stated:
It’s true! Simon is currently working on the screenplay for the third Star Trek film with Dark Blue writer, Doug Jung. – HC
— Pegg News (@simonpegg) January 22, 2015
Last we heard of Star Trek 3 brought news that Paramount wasn’t planning on using Orci’s script following his decision to leave the production. Whether this means that the studio has opted for a hard reset, thereby giving Pegg and Jung a blank canvas to work with, remains to be seen. Mind you, it seems unlikely that Paramount would abandon the screenplay in its entirety, especially given that the film is inching ever closer to its release date.
Paramount Pictures has scheduled Star Trek 3 to arrive in theaters on July 8, 2016. In the meantime, you can let us know your own thoughts on Pegg’s work behind the camera in the comments section below.