Paramount greenlights new Star Trek film

Paramount Pictures has given the new Star Trek movie permission to launch. Before you start thinking, "Well, duh, the movie's about to hit theaters in May," know that we're talking about the next film, as in the sequel, Variety reports. Talk about confidence in a project.

But we think Paramount has plenty of reason to believe the J.J. Abrams sci-fi remake will earn its share at the box office. This is the guy behind Lost and successful Paramount-backed films like Cloverfield and Mission: Impossible III.

Here are four things we know about the project so far:

1. J.J. Abrams is producing, though it's unknown if he'll be directing again.
2. The writers who penned the forthcoming movie in May, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, are writing the sequel, along with producer Damon Lindelof.
3. Said writers are hoping to have that script ready by Christmas and are wisely awaiting fan reaction before deciding which direction to take the story.
4. A summer 2011 release is possible.

So essentially, everyone must be pretty stoked about the new movie, confident enough it will do well in terms of dollars, but open to the possibility of critical failure and/or a wicked Phaser blast from the Trekkies. Think positive. Worst-case scenario: Be stunned, not vaporized.

Related links:
News: J.J. Abrams: Star Trek film for fans of movies, not Star Trek
Ctrl-V: Trailer Stash: Harry Potter, Star Trek, Up, Che, The Wrestler, more
StarTrek.com

Got news tips for Paste? E-mail news@pastemagazine.com.