Star Trek 3 locks phasers on a July 2016 release date

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

With Justin Lin now set to direct STAR TREK 3, Paramount has locked in the release date of July 8, 2016 for the third entry in the reboot of the classic television series. This is an important announcement as it guarantees STAR TREK 3 will celebrate the franchise’s 50th anniversary with a feature film release. Much like SKYFALL’s release being a substantial one for the Bond series, expect the studio to put everything they have behind a massive marketing push for this significant anniversary.

Currently, there are no other major releases set for that same date. INDEPENDENCE DAY 2 and THE MUMMY reboot open two weeks prior, TARZAN the week before, and the next Bourne film the week after. This puts STAR TREK 3 in prime territory to make a lot of money. We don’t know if the rumored inclusion of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy will still be happening, but I would think there is going to be a lot of consideration made to celebrate this film.

Justin Lin‘s hiring as director comes just two weeks after Roberto Orci stepped down from helming the sequel. J.J. Abrams handled the first two movies and still remains involved as a producer only on this entry. We still have no idea what the plot will be or what additional characters we can expect to see in the film. With DOCTOR STRANGE set to release later that same year, I would venture to guess this film will probably be Khan-less.

STAR TREK 3 boldy goes into theaters on July 8, 2016.