Nope, we haven't gone tabloid on you. Screenwriting duo Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci aren't breaking up in the traditional sense, but are breaking up their writing relationship in order to focus on other opportunities. While that may sound insignificant in the grand scheme of things, there's actually some interesting developments as a result. The duo have worked on a number of high-profile projects, beginning with 2006's THE ISLAND, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 3, COWBOYS AND ALIENS, TRANSFORMERS, STAR TREK, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, and most recently on THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 . However, both Kurtzman and Orci are ready to pursue other projects, particularly with directing.
Orci is currently focused on the development of STAR TREK 3 and is "heavily lobbying to direct the production." Currently, he's working on the script with Patrick McKay and John D. Payne and while J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot and Skydance appear to be in favor of Kurtzman directing the film, Paramount is more apprehensive. Gambling on a first time director for a major franchise film is, well, a BIG gamble.
Kurtzman, on the other hand, is having better luck as he's already been tapped by Sony to direct the Spider-Man spinoff film, VENOM. Kurtzman wrote the script for VENOM with Orci and Ed Solomon. Kurtzman is also "working on a solo deal with Universal to oversee monster movie franchises that include “The Mummy” and “Van Helsing.”
The two still have a number of projects in development together and it's unclear how those will shake out going forward. No reason was given for their creative split, but are said to be parting "amicably" and will still continue to remain in business together on the TV front (Sleepy Hollow, Hawaii Five-O).
I think this is pretty standard for any creative duo. Sometimes opportunities open up, change is needed, the toilet seat keeps being left up, whatever. These things happen. It will be interesting to see what these guys churn out individually, if even just to see if there's any real difference in the work.
Kurtzman & Orci's latest collaborative effort, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 hits theaters on May 2, 2014.