"Star Trek 3" will be released on July 8, 2016, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the TV debut of the iconic sci-fi series. The release date was given by Paramount Pictures, following the announcement that "Fast and Furious" director Justin Lin will be helming the third movie reboot of Gene Roddenberry's original TV franchise.
Lin is known for helming the past four "Fast and Furious" movies. He was earlier rumored to direct the next "Bourne" film with actor Jeremy Renner, but it was later announced that director Paul Greengrass is set to return in the upcoming movie along with actor Matt Damon.
Before Lin was tapped to direct the third "Star Trek" movie reboot, the series' long-running writer and producer Roberto Orci stepped down from leading the production. But although Orci will not direct the new "Star Trek" movie, he will still remain as part of the production as one of the producers. The original "Star Trek" reboot director J.J. Abrams will also stay with the production, although he will not be directing this time because he is committed to the upcoming "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" that will be released next year.
Other directors who were rumored to take Orci's place were Morten Tyldum, Duncan Jones, Rubert Wyatt, and Daniel Espinosa.
The third "Star Trek" film will follow the worldwide blockbuster hit "Star Trek: Into Darkness" released in 2013. The movie earned a total of $467 million internationally.
The original "Star Trek" TV series was initially broadcast on NBC in September 1966. The series had a three-year run and launched a lot of different spin-offs over the years. There were also a series of movies that were released based on the TV show. The first one was shown back in 1979, and directed by Robert Wise and produced by series creator Roddenberry.
"Star Trek 3" will be produced by Abrams' Bad Robot and the Skydance Production headed by David Ellison.
