Paramount Pictures has brought on writers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay to write the screenplay for Star Trek 3, alongside franchise mainstay Roberto Orci.

We reported in October that both Roberto Orci and his writing partner Alex Kurtzman were on board to write the script, although their Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness co-writer Damon Lindelof is not involved. Now it seems that Alex Kurtzman has backed out as well.

The project does not have a title as of yet, or a scheduled production start date, although Paramount is hoping to have the sequel in theaters by 2016, a year which marks the 50th anniversary of the original Star Trek TV series, created by Gene Roddenberry. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana are expected to reprise their roles for the sequel.

Although J.J. Abrams is not directing this follow-up, he is still on board as a producer. We reported last month that Attack the Block director Joe Cornish is being considered by Paramount. While no offer has been made as of yet, the filmmaker remains high on the studio's list of directorial candidates.

J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay wrote the screenplay adaptation for Boilerplate, which J.J. Abrams is also producing.