Paramount Pictures has issued a release date for Star Trek 3 and we only have eighteen more months to wait!

Justin Lin
Justin Lin is set to direct the third in the Star Trek franchise reboot.

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The third film in the hugely successful Star Trek reboot will be released on July 8th 2016, the studios announced on Tuesday (23rd December). The release date will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the franchise as the first ever episode aired on NBC in 1966. 

The news comes a mere day after Paramount announced the film's new director will be Justin Lin. 43-year-old Lin is best known for directing four films in The Fast and The Furious franchise. He was announced as director of Star Trek 3, as Deadline first reported on Monday (22nd December), after Roberto Orci stepped down from the position at the beginning of December 2014.

Orci, who would have made his directorial debut with the upcoming Star Trek film, has previously served as producer and co-writer of the previous two Star Trek reboot projects. Orci remains involved in the upcoming film as a producer and co-writer. 

Chris Pine
It is rumoured Chris Pine may reprise his role as Kirk in Star Trek 3.

Although a number of high profile directors were considered to replace Orci, including Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game) and Daniel Espinosa (Safe House), Lin with his impressive action credentials has ultimately been given the job. As Deadline reports, it appears Lin was available as the project he should have been working on next, a sequel to The Bourne Legacy, has been postponed.

The previous two instalments in the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness, were directed by J.J. Abrams. However, Abrams left the project in order to direct the new Star Wars reboot. 

Beyond Lin's involvement and the release date, very little information regarding the third in the Star Trek franchise has been revealed. It is rumoured Chris Pine, who plays Captain Kirk, and Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock, will return for the upcoming film. 

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Zachary Quinto
Zachary Quinto is rumoured to be returning as Spock in Star Trek 3.