Rupert Wyatt back Atop Shortlist to Direct 'Star Trek 3'

Paramount has found themselves in a bind in their efforts to find a Star Trek 3 director. The 50th anniversary of Gene Roddenberry's iconic sci-fi franchise is right around the corner in 2016 and right now nobody has taken the helm of this ship. Series co-writer Roberto Orci was going to make his directorial debut on the film and that questionable decision was rectified when he stepped down just days ago. But they still need a director, and now a shortlist of candidates has emerged, including one who was at the top of it some months ago.

According to Deadline, Rise of the Planet of the Apes director Rupert Wyatt is the frontrunner to direct Star Trek 3, a job he was up for back when the search first began.  Also on the Paramount's wishlist are Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game), Justin Lin (Fast Five), and Daniel Espinosa (Safe House). They were also targeting Duncan Jones (Source Code) but he's since taken his name out of the running...

Very flattering being on short list for Star Trek, but won't be doing it. Absolutely MUST make my own thing next, or I'll die of old age!
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) December 15, 2014

Wyatt seems like a pretty good fit for a couple of reason. He's already had big franchise success, and his current film The Gambler is set up at Paramount. Makes sense. One name not on the list is Edgar Wright, who was rumored recently but appears to be out of the running.