DEC. 23: Trek 3 now has a release date: July 8, 2016.

News is breaking this evening that Justin Lin — director of the last four Fast & Furious films — has been tapped by Paramount Pictures to take the wheel on 2016’s Star Trek 3 in the wake of Bob Orci’s departure earlier this month.

Lin, who built up the Fast & Furious franchise into a $2 Billion global juggernaut for Universal Pictures, was originally set to direct the upcoming Bourne Legacy sequel with star Jeremy Renner. That film, however, was delayed when news broke in September that Matt Damon would be returning to do a new Jason Bourne film, which freed up Lin’s schedule to fit Trek 3 into his plans for 2015.

Additionally, Lin is now the first non-Caucasian director set to take on a Star Trek film — the biggest step Paramount has yet taken to secure their desired global box office domination for the 2016 release.

Source: Deadline Hollywood, Variety