With J.J. Abrams currently working on Star Wars: Episode VII, Paramount is considering Joe Cornish to direct the upcoming sci-fi sequel Star Trek 3.

It isn't known if the filmmaker is in talks to direct yet, or if an offer has been made, but the studio reportedly considers the Attack the Block filmmaker their top choice to make the sequel. We reported in May that Joe Cornish was a contender to replace J.J. Abrams, but we hadn't heard anything else regarding his involvement until now. Paramount is hoping to shoot the sequel sometime next year, for release in 2016.

J.J. Abrams is still on board as a producer, with Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman writing the screenplay. J.J. Abrams revealed in September that the sequel will end with the beginning of the U.S.S. Enterprise crew's five-year mission.

Joe Cornish made his directorial debut with Attack the Block in 2011. He also co-wrote the screenplays for The Adventures of Tintin and the upcoming Marvel Phase Three movie Ant-Man.