But after a few months with no details or rumors about a director it came out that J. J. Abrams will direct Episode 7!
J. J. did explain this to the world. He said he was right at the start of post production on Star Trek Into Darkness (a very busy and stressful time for a director) when they approached him about directing Star Wars. He basically said that at that moment the last thing he could possibly want on his mind is the responsibility to direct the next Star Wars film. But when he was done with Star Trek he found the breathing room to think about it and accept the offer.
And this left the world with some more questions. Will J. J. still be able to do the next Star Trek? If not, who will direct it?
These questions are technically both still unanswered but we can say with some certainty that, sadly, J. J. will likely return to the 24th century only as a producer.
It broke news yesterday that Neill Blomkamp turned down the next Star Trek. Neill Blomkamp is known for 2009's "District 9" and this year's "Elysium." Both movies with heavy sci-fi elements and both movies with heavy social commentary - something that was integral with Star Trek in the beginning but not as much now. It might seem like a good fit - Neill and Star Trek. And there are some compelling arguments for it. But in the end Neill's type of storytelling just wouldn't work for Star Trek and he knows that. He likes to show gritty futures where today's ills of society are exaggerated. Star Trek is all about a future where humanity, as a whole at least, has moved past all its issues and shortcomings. I don't think Mr. Blomkamp is even capable of telling a story in such a world!
Evidently there is (or was) a rumor running around that John M. Chu is in competition to direct. You can just forget about that one. He's known for movies like "Step Up 2 The Streets" and "G.I. Joe: Retaliation." It's just a bad fit and Paramount would never do that. Besides all this his plate is full with the G.I. Joe franchise and plans to bring He-Man to the big screen again (no joke).
Today I read that Rupert Wyatt is the actual leading contender for the director's chair of Star Trek. This is something I can get behind. Mr. Wyatt's only major credit so far is 2011's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." That movie was a critical (and to some degree commercial) sleeper hit. That is to say it was a pleasant surprise. No one really expected it to make that much money or to be that good as a film, but it was. Since then Mr. Wyatt has stayed pretty well out of the spotlight, even turning down the directing job for next year's "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes!" In my opinion he has stayed too far out of the spotlight (one good credit to your name isn't enough to get super picky with your projects). But if he wants to do Star Trek I am ready to get behind him. His directing style, from what I recall, is very steady and precise. He didn't rush any payoffs.
If you want my guess here it is. J. J. will return to produce and Rupert Wyatt will direct. Also, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci have both signed on to return as writers, that's confirmed.
As for J. J. not returning to direct - I think it's a good thing. It's not like the same director did all the first 10 Star Trek films! For the franchise to return to its former glory there must be a variety of directors! It'll be just like the good old days.
The one. The only. Big Shot Critic
UPDATE: It's almost been a year and a half since I wrote this but today I heard something VERY EXCITING!
First things first. Rupert Wyatt went on to direct The Gambler, which will be released this Christmas (2014). J. J. is now neck deep in post production on Star Wars, and even the writers on Star Trek 3 have been juggled quite a lot with the latest draft not being done by Alex Kurtzman or Roberto Orci. Bottom line, things have changed some.
Roberto Orci had the directing job for Star Trek 3 for a while but he backed out a couple weeks ago. Now for the exciting part. JONATHAN FRAKES has been in contact with J. J. Abrams and the other producers with the intention to direct the next Star Trek film! This just fits so well and I really hope they take him seriously. I kid you not this is the most exciting film news possibility since Bryan Singer signed to direct Days of Future Past.
Jonathan Frakes played Commander Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation and those subsequent films. He also directed several episodes of The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise PLUS two of the Next Generation films. Since all this he has been heavily involved in directing for various television shows. It is also worth mentioning that one of the two Next Generation films he directed (First Contact) is without a doubt a fan favorite. Maybe you can all understand a little bit why this is SO EXCITING to a Star Trek fan like me!
So, J. J. Abrams and Paramount, #BringInRiker!!!!!
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