Star Trek Sequel on the Fast Track

As Paramount Pictures is moving forward with a sequel to its May 8 release, Star Trek, and has hired Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof to write the screenplay.

Variety says J.J. Abrams, who directed and produced the new film, is on board to produce the follow-up alongside his Bad Robot partner Bryan Burk. No decision has been made yet on whether Abrams will direct the sequel.

Orci, Kurtzman and Lindelof also are receiving producing credit on the sequel.

The story is still in the embryonic stage, but the trio are aiming to deliver their script to the Melrose studio by Christmas for what would likely be a summer 2011 release.

"Obviously we discussed ideas, but we are waiting to see how audiences respond next month," Kurtzman said. "With a franchise rebirth, the first movie has to be about origin. But with a second, you have the opportunity to explore incredibly exciting things. We'll be ambitious about what we'll do."

Though Orci and Kurtzman have worked together as a writing team for more than 12 years, the duo has worked with Lindelof on only one screenplay - DreamWorks' Cowboys & Aliens, which they are currently writing together.