"Star Trek" actors anticipated filming to start soon on the third movie with a 2016 release date, but production may be delayed due to the exit of director Roberto Orci.
Orci planned to take over the reins from J.J. Abrams, who left to reboot the "Star Wars" franchise, and the reason behind his departure is unknown, according to Deadline. He will now only serve as a producer on the film.
Edgar Wright may be on the short list for possible replacements, according to Deadline. The "Star Trek" fan visited the set on the second movie and directed one of the "2120 shots" in the film, he tweeted at the time.
The third movie will make a time jump from the previous installment, "Star Trek Into Darkness," according to TrekMovie. The Starship Enterprise crew will be a ways into its five-year mission exploring deep space.
Rumors have also swirled about the possible return of Leonard Nimoy to the franchise as well as William Shatner's first appearance in the movies. Shatner received a call from Abrams on behalf of Orci pitching an idea for his involvement earlier this fall.
"I said 'Oh, yeah. If it is meaningful.' ...So it depends on what you do with the character. I said 'I would be delighted,'" Shatner said at the Wizard World Nashville convention in September.
Zachary Quino, who plays Spock, predicted in September that filming would start within the next six months. If the film releases on time, it will coincide with Star Trek's 50th anniversary in 2016.
