Roberto Orci and William Shatner address Kirk/Spock Star Trek 3 rumor

Just a couple of days ago, a rumor appeared that Roberto Orci has plans to reunite William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy in STAR TREK 3. The story claimed that the script would put the iconic actors on screen in their trademark roles, potentially for the last time. With the jumbled timelines introduced in J.J. Abrams‘ STAR TREK, it seems anything is possible. But, whether it is true is still unknown.

To clarify whether this news was legitimate or more Internet fodder, both STAR TREK 3 writer/director Roberto Orci and William Shatner himself have made comments. First up, Orci refused to confirm or deny the rumor to Trek Movie, but did say this.

“Not in my interest to confirm or deny anything because it limits my options while maintaining my integrity as a truth teller. The movie is not the movie till it is in the theater. Until then, everything is a rumor.”

Shatner was a little less informative but still very direct in his Twitter feed.

Let’s talk ST. I don’t know anything about the current gossip. Nobody has contacted me. Right now it’s just rhetoric to cause hype.

During production on STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, rumors swirled regarding the identity of Benedict Cumberbatch‘s character. After months of back and forth, and rumors that he was playing Khan, J.J. Abrams, Orci, and Alex Kurtzman all denied that story which turned out to be true. Fans were divided over the reveal which may have soured many on the sequel. Here’s hoping we don’t go down that route again with STAR TREK 3. Fans would definitely be excited to see Shatner and Nimoy back together on screen, especially with the film marking the 50th anniversary of the original series.

STAR TREK 3 is expected to premiere in 2016.