Paramount has confirmed that "Star Trek 3" will hit theaters in 2016.

J.J. Abrams will no longer be directing the film, as he is currently busy filming "Star Wars: Episode VII." He will be replaced by writer/new director Roberto Orci.

In a statement, Orci said that the upcoming movie will be reminiscent of the original TV series. He said in an "Humans From Earth" podcast that the first two films were origin stories: "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."

He adds: "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."

This will be Orci's directorial debut. Orci is an award-winning screenwriter who has worked on films like "Star Trek" (2009) "Star Trek: Into Darkness," (STID), "Cowboys and Aliens," "Transformers," and "The Amazing Spider-Man" The third "Star Trek" movie will be his directorial debut.

There has been no word yet on the plot of the movie, but fans were quick to point out that the 2016 release would coincide with the original series' 50th anniversary.

Meanwhile, there are rumors that there will be a new "Star Trek" TV series under Netflix--this has not yet been confirmed, however. Author Larry Nemecek even said that there is no such thing.

Do you think Orci will deliver as a new director and be able to succeed in the rebooted franchise? Share with us your thoughts below!