The speculation that J.J. Abrams the creator of ‘Alias’, ‘Lost’ and the director of ‘MI3′ will direct a new Star Trek film has been flying around the web for weeks now, and yesterday it was finally confirmed by Paramount as being true. I try not to report on too much speculation, because if I did I’d be here all day writing about what could and might happen in the world of movies. I’ve never been in to ‘Star Trek’, but I did like ‘Lost’ despite its ups and downs and MI3 was the best film in the series to date. J.J. Abrams is obviously a capable director so I’m interested to see anything he’s involved with.

This from IESB:

The team behind the film will include Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci (‘Mission Impossible III”) who wrote the screenplay and will executive produce with Bryan Burk. JJ Abrams and “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof will produce. The film will begin shooting this fall for a Christmas Day 2008 release.

On the same note there were also casting rumours circulating, apparantly Matt Damon is in talks to play Captain Kirk, with Adrien Brody possibly being cast as Spock, and Gary Sinise as Bones. As we know casting rumours often turn out to be total bullshit, but still they would be interesting choices to play said parts.

From IGN:

Confirming rumours that have been making the rounds for some months now, IGN has learned that Oscar winner Matt Damon is indeed in talks with Paramount about playing the role of Jim Kirk, previously immortalized on screen by Emmy winner William Shatner.

For the part of Kirk’s Vulcan first officer Mr. Spock, IGN has been told that none other than Oscar winner Adrien Brody (King Kong, The Pianist) is in talks with Paramount to play the role.

IGN has also been told that Oscar nominee Gary Sinise — currently seen on the small screen in CSI: NY — is in talks for the role of Dr. McCoy, the ornery and politically incorrect ship’s physician aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.

More news on this as it surfaces

(via IESB and IGN)