Ready for some exciting news, Trekkies? Deadline’s going on record to say that Paramount and Skydance Productions are "sweet" on Attack the Block director Joe Cornish to helm the next installment in the rebooted Star Trek series, which likely will shoot in the summer of 2014.
As you know, original Trek diretor J.J. Abrams finally confirmed that he would not attempt to direct the as-yet-untitled Star Trek 3 due to his time commitment on a Star Wars sequel that this particular author doesn’t believe will ever hit theaters. That’s neither here nor there. Abrams’ decision to release his vice grip on Trek opens the door to a fresh, new director ready to climb into the captain’s chair, and Cornish would be an inspired selection.
Released in 2011, Cornish’s Attack the Block won over passionate fans by taking an aliens-among-us storyline and grounding it in a gritty, colorful British neighborhood populated by vicious but charismatic hooligans who didn’t take kindly to extraterrestrials invading their space. Cornish – similar to Neil Blomkamp in 2009’s District 9 -- found ways to root futuristic science-fiction in contemporary scenarios. Block, which he also wrote, also happened to be edgy, creative and a hell of a lot of fun.
Will Cornish have as much creative freedom on Trek? It’s a good question. We don’t know much about Trek 3 at the moment. Back in August, we reported that Star Trek Into Darkness scribes Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman would stick around to write the third installment – a truth that likely pissed off some die-hard Trek fans (which, in turn, likely angered Orci). In those same stories, co-writer Damon Lindelof was telling press that he did NOT plan on returning to this universe, but that could change if Trek needs a script polish or fresh idea. (Lindelof went on record numerous times saying he’d like to bring the Borg into this rebooted universe, if they could find a way to make them fit.)
All of this could go out the window if Cornish has strong ideas that are helping convince Paramount that he’s the right man to take Trek to the next level. I didn’t hate Into Darkness the way passionate Trek fans seem to want to pick it apart. But I see the value in bringing new voices to established franchises, to see where they are able to maneuver them. It’s part of the reason I’m excited to see Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World, and Gareth Evans’ Godzilla. Engaging storytellers in time-tested universes. That’s exciting.
The third Star Trek was rumored to be circling a 2015 release date. That might be tight – in a crowded year – so we’ll see if Paramount pushes it to 2016 if and when they finally get Cornish to sign on the dotted line.
