Nearly a month ago we repported that screenwriter Roberto Orci was in contention of becoming the director of the third instalment of the rebooted Star Trek movie franchise. Despite never having directed a movie before the screenwriter who has frequently worked with fellow screenwriter Alex Kurtzman recieved praise from the first and second instalments director J. J. Abrams, who though remaining onboard as a producer for the third instalment, will be unable to return as director due to his current commitment to Disney/Lucasfilm's forthcoming Star Wars Episode VII.
Now, according to Variety, it seems after almost a month of uncertainty from studio Paramount Pictures and behind-the-scenes manipulation Roberto Orci has secured himself as director of Star Trek 3, in addition to being the movies co-writer and co-producer.
It goes without saying that this is a very risky proposition for Paramount, with Orci's directing ability unknown and untested. While the movie will almost certainly recuperate its production costs on the weight of being a franchise movie, the high probability that the movie could be critically panned could end the possibility of a long running "cash cow" franchise for the studio, forcing them to lean ever more heavily on their only other profitable director Michael Bay!
