According to Deadline, the third film in the rebooted Star Trek franchise and the follow-up to 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness is likely to be directed by either Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game), Daniel Espinosa (Safe House), Justin Lin (Fast & Furious), or Duncan Jones (Moon, Warcraft). However, just after the outlet published this list of names, Jones took to Twitter to remove his name from the list. Wyatt is considered the top contender on the list.
Very flattering being on short list for Star Trek, but won’t be doing it. Absolutely MUST make my own thing next, or I’ll die of old age!
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) December 15, 2014
Conspicuously absent form the list of potential directors is Edgar Wright, the filmmaker that Deadline previously named as one of the contenders for the high-profile project.
While Orci has vacated the director’s chair, he remains attached to the project as a producer — along with the first two films’ director, J.J. Abrams — and the project is believed to be moving forward with the script penned by Orci, Patrick McKay, and J.D. Payne. Details are scarce about the plot of the sequel, though Orci has indicated that the story is set in deep space instead of based around Earth like the two previous films.
There’s no release date set for the film at this point, though a 2016 premiere is likely due to the timing of the franchise’s 50th anniversary that year.
