In their report on new writers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay replacing Alex Kurtzman on
Star Trek 3 script duties, Variety also reveal that Joe Cornish is no longer in line to direct. Cornish was never officially announced as taking over from J.J. Abrams on the sci-fi threequel, but various reliable sources had him pegged as the man Paramount and Skydance were lining up for the gig - with Abrams himself expressing his admiration for the director, and stating that although he didn't know what project Cornish was looking at next, he "hoped it would be Star Trek". No other directors have been mentioned in connection with the movie yet, but there were said to be numerous contenders back when Cornish was rumored so hopefully Abrams (who will still produce) and Paramount have someone else in mind.