Star Trek 3 Officially Has a Director

Since JJ Abrams took off to the Star Wars universe, it’s put a big question mark over the Star Trek franchise. Star Trek Into Darkness disappointed some fans, and the third installment could be crucial in either revitalizing the franchise, or putting it to sleep for a while until it can be brought back to life.

So now it’s officially announced who will direct the third Star Trek, and it’s Justin Lin from the Fast and Furious franchise.

While this may not be the greatest news for Star Trek fans, it would be a safe assumption that Paramount would go for a typical journeyman director to helm Trek because they can get the job done, although it would have been really cool to see what a left of center choice could do with it. (Edgar Wright was rumored to take over, and that certainly would have been a very interesting pick.)

Roberto Orci, who co-wrote the scripts for the JJ Abrams trek films, was originally slated to direct, but he recently left the project. Paramount still hopes to have Star Trek 3 ready and in theaters in time for the franchise’s 50th anniversary in 2016.