STAR TREK 2 writers hired!
In what might be the biggest vote of confidence yet for J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek movie, Paramount have already begun spending money on a sequel, hiring back writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, teaming them with Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof and with director J.J. Abrams back in a producing capacity. He has not yet decided if he wants to direct. 
The writers will wait to hear the audience reaction to their reboot before beginning work on the sequel, whose script Paramount seem to have put a deadline of Christmas on. This allows them to make Star Trek a two year franchise, just like Iron Man andTransformers to keep the money rolling in. Paramount are clearly confident that they will make a return on their $150 million investment in May and have made the bold move to premiere the movie in April, a month before the movie is set to open. Long drawn out bad word of mouth would probably kill any hope of making their money back, so they obviously think they are onto a winner. Kurtzman said...
Obviously we discussed ideas, but we are waiting to see how audiences respond next month, he said. With a franchise rebirth, the first movie has to be about origin. But with a second, you have the opportunity to explore incredibly exciting things. Well be ambitious about what well do.Meanwhile, IESB (via First Showing) have debuted some new photo's from the film which they found from playing cards...
Star Trek opens May 8th.