While star Simon Pegg has confirmed that Roberto Orci is directing Star Trek 3, Paramount has still not issued an official statement or release. Orci, an executive producer and writer on both 2009's Star Trek and 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness, is in charge of writing the next sequel alongside Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, and he revealed to TrekMovie this weekend that the first draft of the screenplay has been completed.

"p & m & I wrote, "fade out" yesterday on first draft. things are moving.

First draft is done."

Roberto Orci dropped the news on the TrekMovie comment sections, where he said that he will also be working alongside former partner Alex Kurtzman on Universal's reboot of their Classic Monsters movies, which is being turned into a connected cinematic universe.

Roberto Orci expects Star Trek 3 to begin shooting this spring. Pre-production will start at the end of this year or in very early 2015. Paramount is now tasked with deciding if Roberto Orci will actually direct the sequel, as the screenplay continues to be developed and redrafted. They also need to set a budget for Star Trek 3 and an official release date. The movie is currently set to be part of Paramount's 2016 line-up. That slate also includes Transformers 5 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2.