EXCLUSIVE: Roberto Orci is beaming off the bridge of the Starship Enterprise on Star Trek 3. Rampant rumors are swirling and I’ve confirmed there is fire behind the smoke that he won’t be directing. I even hear that Edgar Wright and others are on a short list to take the job. Orci stays on the project as producer, I’ve heard.

You will recall that Orci got the job to replace JJ Abrams, his first big gig after Orci parted company with longtime partner Alex Kurtzman (though they continue on TV projects). Orci stepped off helming Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This was a big career coup, the latest first-time director taking on a massive project, which has been hit (Snow White And The Huntsman) and miss (Transcendence, John Carter, 47 Ronin).

Orci, who with Kurtzman shaped the first two Trek pics as writer, is repped by CAA.