Simon Pegg to Co-Write STAR TREK 13
It was only a few weeks ago that we learned Roberto Orci was no longer set to direct Star Trek 13, and that Justin Lin had been selected to take over the job. We also learned that Paramount wasn’t too keen on the story Orci and Company had developed for the franchise’s 50th anniversary outing.
Now we get word via Deadline that Simon Pegg will co-write the screenplay with Doug Jung, creator of the short-lived TNT police procedural Dark Blue. Jung gets the gig after writing Diamond for Bad Robot and Paramount. Jung also has some noticeable gaps in his credits, with up to four years between gigs in some places.
Pegg’s writing credits include the Edgar Wright-directed Cornetto trilogy consisting of Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End, as well as Run Fatboy Run and Paul. Note that those are comedies.
Star Trek, debuted on NBC on September 8, 1966 after failing to pass muster in 1964 with its first pilot, “The Cage”. An unprecedented decision allowed the show to produce a second pilot, “Where No Man Has Gone Before”, which sold the show to the network and introduced the world to James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock along with the rest of the Starfleet crew.
As of now, there’s no word on what, if any, plans are in place to celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary. Star Trek joins the James Bond and Doctor Who franchises in the Golden Anniversary Club, and both Bond and the Doctor have had notable success in commemorating the event. However, Paramount remains mum about any plans for Star Trek. We’ve reached out to Paramount for details.
Star Trek 13 is set to start shooting April 15th in Vancouver.
