Trekkies are going crazy about Star Trek Into Darkness. The film is a critical and commercial ($184 million worldwide during the first couple weeks of release) success, and it’s all thanks to its amazing, talented cast and director J.J. Abrams’ hard work. Alas, the filmmaker is unlikely to be involved in the production of a third film in the rebooted franchise — he will be with his hands full for the next couple of years as he works on Star Wars: Episode VII. So, the question on everyone’s mind is who’d replace Abrams if Star Trek 3 were to be made?
Latino Review’s El Mayimbe supposedly has a scoop on one director who’d be willing to take Abrams’ place:
“I guess y’all wanna know about who might be directing STAR TREK 3 if it ever goes. Heard Joe Cornish BUT also heard he’s on a list of names. I’m NOT saying Joe Cornish is the guy, but what I am saying is the he is definitely one of NUMEROUS contenders.” – @elmayimbe
That’s right, it’s the man who brought us Attack the Block, a hilarious British sci-fi flick. He’s a fine filmmaker, worthy of directing a Star Trek movie, even more so than others who worked on previous films in the franchise (we’re looking at you, Shatner). Nevertheless, he’s one of several candidates. In fact, Cornish has been shortlisted for many projects recently, including The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (which he didn’t get).
I think he’s the right man for the job, but it’d be wise for Paramount to remember Cornish has only directed one other film. Almost too often are promising directors shouldered with too much responsibility, and their subsequent inability to fulfill the studio and audience’s expectations are perceived as a lack of talent. I’d probably look at two or three experienced directors before I settled on Cornish, but I’m no Paramount Pictures executive.
What do you think? What would Joe Cornish’s Star Trek 3 look like?