Abrams is directing Enterprise prequel

On Tuesday (Feb. 27), Paramount formally announced that the untitled "Star Trek" film from director J.J. Abrams is aiming for a December 2008 release.

After signing on to produce the new "Trek" in April, Abrams waited until late last week to commit to directing. Paramount has wasted no time in setting a production start date for sometime this fall, with a Christmas Day 2008 release in the cards.

Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci, who wrote "Mission: Impossible III" for Abrams and Paramount have scripted the film and will executive produce along with Abrams and his "Lost" collaborators Bryan Burk and Damon Lindelof.

The official Paramount release on the film offered no information on what the 11th "Star Trek" film will be about, though the Internet is already abuzz about potential casting rumors for what is expected to be a Starfleet Academy story focusing on the young James T. Kirk and his first meetings with Mr. Spock and the other "Trek" players.

"If there's something I'm dying to see, it's the brilliance and optimism of Roddenberry's world brought back to the big screen," Abrams says. "Alex and Bob wrote an amazing script that embraces and respects Trek canon, but charts its own course. Our goal is to make a picture for everyone -- life-long fans and the uninitiated. Needless to say, I am honored and excited to be part of this next chapter of Star Trek."

Paramount Chairman and CEO Brad Grey adds, "We could not be more thrilled to be back in business with J.J. Abrams. The revival of the 'Star Trek' franchise is an important part of Paramount's turnaround."