Simon Pegg, who played Scotty in the last two “Star Trek” films, is taking on a second task for the third installment – screenwriter. According to Deadline, Pegg has been set to co-write Star Trek 3, which will be directed by “Fast & Furious” helmer Justin Lin. This is following the news from December that Roberto Orci would no longer be writing the Paramount/Skydance film. Pegg is co-writing the script with Doug Jung (“Dark Blue,” “Banshee”), says The Hollywood Reporter‘s Borys Kit.
Pegg will also reprise his role as Scotty, of course, reteaming with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban, and Zoe Saldana as the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. J.J. Abrams, who directed the last two films, is producing this time around.
Pegg has previously written the Edgar Wright-directed Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End, as well as the comedies Run, Fatboy, Run and Paul.
Paramount Pictures has Star Trek 3 scheduled for a July 8, 2016 release, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the “Star Trek” franchise.
