Coming off of Star Trek Into Darkness, a big hit around the globe, Star Trek 3 is coming along slowly but surely - with an emphasis on slowly. It was all the way back in December that screenwriters J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay were hired to pen the screenplay, and despite the fact that Bob Orci has spent months as the been the frontrunner for the director's chair, a report from in mid-July said that a deal still wasn't worked out. At this point, Star Trek fans are used to waiting, as there was a solid four year gap between the J.J. Abrams-directed films, but Star Trek 3 might now finally be taking big steps forward.
This past Saturday, Simon Pegg - who plays Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott in the rebooted franchise - was on hand at the Star Trek Las Vegas Con, and while on-stage - according to Trek Movie - he revealed a few interesting tidbits about the current status of Star Trek 3. Asked multiple questions about where things are with the project, Pegg revealed that Bob Orci is now locked in to direct the film, and that he hasn't read the script yet, but will soon. There is also still hope for getting the movie through production in time for 2016 - which will be the 50th anniversary of the original series. Given how much time is needed for post-production on big sci-fi blockbusters like the Star Trek movies, making the date will require filming to start up in the first half of next year. At this stage in the game that's very doable, but it means that all of the ducks have to start getting in a row now.
Speaking a bit more personally, Pegg also expressed what he would like to see from Scott in Star Trek 3 - and in doing also also revealed a personality flaw that he has found in the character since he was reintroduced in Abrams' 2009 film. Said The World's End star,
"I would like to see Scotty challenged more. He is always complaining so if you ask him he is always challenged. I would like to see him in more situations of adversity. It is fun playing Scotty seriously too. I think he has a very serious heart. He is somebody who takes his job incredibly seriously. He is somebody who is fiercely loyal. He has a lot of attributes that are deadly serious. He just goes through life with an attitude that is fairly light and ironic"
So if all goes according to plan, Pegg will be joined by Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Jon Cho, Anton Yelchin, and Karl Urban next year when Star Trek 3 goes into production under the guidance of first-time director Bob Orci. Are you excited yet?
