“Space… The final frontier…” At least it seemed that way to the fans of the rebooted ‘Star Trek’ movies as they wonder when they will get to see an adventure that would take the cast to new worlds. While the last two films were met with mixed reviews, both movies took place either on Earth or within that proximity. When will the voyages of the starship Enterprise boldly go where the original TV series has gone before? Well, according to ‘Star Trek 3’ (or 13) director Roberto Orci, Trekkies will not have long to wait.

During a podcast interview for Humans from Earth, Orci basically announced that the next film will be set in “deep space”:

 “In [Into Darkness] they set out finally where the original series started. The first two films – especially the 2009 [Star Trek] – was an origin story. It was about them coming together. So they weren’t the characters they were in the original series. They were growing into them and that continues on in the second movie. So in this movie they are closer than they are to the original series characters that you have ever seen. They have set off on their five-year mission. So their adventure is going to be in deep space.”

So it seems that the third film in the franchise will finally begin the five year mission that was not only teased at the end of ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ but what was the setting of the original series.

Of course with all the retconning that went on in the first two films that J.J. Abrams directed, it would only be fitting that fans shouldn’t expect too much of the same villains and aliens that were seen before, or one would think (*cough* Khan *cough*).  Orci did address that in the podcast albeit jokingly:

“The Horta is actually the villain in the next one – no – they are in deep space now, so lets see what’s out there.”

It will be interesting to see were ‘Star Trek 3’ takes us. The screenplay was written by Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne and while there has been no formal date announced for the film’s release, Paramount Pictures International Senior VP, Edward Ryan, announced at CineEurope that ‘Star Trek 3’ will be released sometime in 2016 – just in time for the 50th anniversary of the original ‘Star Trek’ series!

This will certainly be a daunting task for Orci as not only will he have the pressure to produce a ‘Star Trek’ film worthy of a 50th anniversary celebration, but this is also his first time directing any project let along a big budget film.

So, fellow Trekkies, what are your thoughts? Are you excited that the Enterprise will finally begin their 5 year mission or does the lack of Orci’s experience have you concerned?

And as always, keeping checking back here at ScienceFiction.com for more details as they become available.