Justin Lin is set to take over Star Trek 3 as its director.

After both J.J. Abrams and Roberto Orci backed out, Paramount picked Lin to take over helm of the production.

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Lin is remembered for almost single-handedly bringing the Fast and Furious franchise to fame, the film enjoyed increasing strong box office receipts after he directed the third, fourth, fifth and sixth installment.

Lin has been signed on to direct to next installment to succeed 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness only weeks after Orci decided to back off from the production.

Orci was offered the job after Abrams begged off from the project. This could have been Orci's first big-budget directorial stint. He has also co-written the Star Trek reboot.

Abrams helmed the first two films, but he had to say no to the third because he had already committed to the revamped Star Wars franchise, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens set to go on screen December next year.

Orci and Abrams, though, will remain as the project's producers.

A release date has not yet been announced for Star Trek 3, but Paramount had been aiming for a 2016 release, to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the original series' debut.

Deadline also revealed that Lin is slated to direct The Bourne Legacy spinoff, starring Jeremy Renner, although the production was postponed after The Bourne Identity sequel was decided, which will, once again, see Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass star.

Lin was already reportedly invited to sign for the Fast & Furious multi-part finale, although Lin has not yet committed to do the project, given that he is already slated to take the Star Trek job.

The first Star Trek (2009) grossed US$380 million in global box office receipts while its sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, grossed over US$460 million. 

Tagsjustin lin, justin lin to direct star trek, JJ Abrams, Roberto Orci