Dec. 6, 2014 / 1:35 PM

Director Robert Orci departs 'Star Trek 3'

No reason was immediately given for his departure from the high-profile project, which is set for release in 2016.

The director of Chris Pine's third "Star Trek" movie has left the project. Pine is pictured here at the premiere of "Star Trek Into Darkness" May 14, 2013. UPI/Jim Ruymen

The director of Chris Pine's third "Star Trek" movie has left the project. Pine is pictured here at the premiere of "Star Trek Into Darkness" May 14, 2013. UPI/Jim Ruymen | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Screenwriter Robert Orci will no longer make his big-screen directorial debut on Star Trek 3 as planned.

The Hollywood Reporter said no reason was immediately given for his departure from the high-profile project, which is set for release in 2016.

Orci will, however, remain a producer on the film.

The third installment in the rebooted franchise will again star Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as Capt. James T. Kirk and Spock. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, the original portrayers of Kirk and Spock, are to have cameos in the new movie.

J.J. Abrams directed the two most recent Star Trek pictures, but left to helm Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

Read More

'Red Sonja' fights warriors, minotaur in new trailer

Movies // 2 hours ago

'Red Sonja' fights warriors, minotaur in new trailer

July 10 (UPI) -- Samuel Goldwyn Films released a trailer for "Red Sonja" on Thursday. The film, starring Matilda Lutz as the Marvel Comics/Dynamite character, opens in theaters Aug. 15.

Walton Goggins, Ron Funches, more join animated 'Mutant Furniture'

Movies // 1 day ago

Walton Goggins, Ron Funches, more join animated 'Mutant Furniture'

July 9 (UPI) -- 42 West announced Wednesday that several actors have joined the voice cast of "Harry and the Mutant Mid-century Furniture." Walton Goggins, Ron Funches, Chris Parnell, Shondrella Avery join the previous cast.

'Wicked' special to air Nov. 6 on NBC ahead of 'For Good' release

Movies // 1 day ago

'Wicked' special to air Nov. 6 on NBC ahead of 'For Good' release

July 9 (UPI) -- NBC's "Wicked" special, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, will air on the network Nov. 6. "Wicked: For Good" opens in theaters Nov. 21.

'The Amateur' to stream July 17 on Hulu

Movies // 1 day ago

'The Amateur' to stream July 17 on Hulu

July 9 (UPI) -- James Hawes' action-thriller "The Amateur," starring Rami Malek, arrives on Hulu July 17, the streamer announced Wednesday.

SpongeBob journeys to Underworld in 'Search for SquarePants' teaser

Movies // 1 day ago

SpongeBob journeys to Underworld in 'Search for SquarePants' teaser

July 9 (UPI) -- SpongeBob and Patrick head to the Underworld, "where no Sponge has gone before," in a teaser for "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants," which arrives in theaters Dec. 19.

Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley and more join 'Devil Wears Prada 2'

Movies // 1 day ago

Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley and more join 'Devil Wears Prada 2'

July 9 (UPI) -- "Charlie's Angels" star Lucy Liu, "Bridgerton" actress Simone Ashley and "The Office" actor B.J. Novak will join Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep in the "Devil Wears Prada" sequel, which is now filming.

'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' to open BFI Film Festival

Movies // 1 day ago

'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' to open BFI Film Festival

July 9 (UPI) -- "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," the third film in the "Knives Out" franchise starring Daniel Craig, will have its world premiere as the opening night film at the 69th annual BFI London Film Festival.

Steven Spielberg shares 'Jaws' nightmares in 'Jaws @ 50' doc

Movies // 1 day ago

Steven Spielberg shares 'Jaws' nightmares in 'Jaws @ 50' doc

LOS ANGELES, July 9 (UPI) -- "Jaws @ 50" director Laurent Bouzereau spoke with UPI about "Jaws" helmer Steven Spielberg sharing traumatic memories and bad dreams long after making the film. Producer Wendy Benchley also discussed the documentary.

Movie review: 'Superman' celebrates comic book fantasy to extreme

Movies // 2 days ago

Movie review: 'Superman' celebrates comic book fantasy to extreme

LOS ANGELES, July 8 (UPI) -- "Superman," starring David Corenswet and in theaters Friday, takes the most comic-centric approach to a superhero movie in a post-Marvel world.

Mia Threapleton wanted to get her claws into 'Phoenician' nun role

Movies // 2 days ago

Mia Threapleton wanted to get her claws into 'Phoenician' nun role

NEW YORK, July 8 (UPI) -- Mia Threapleton says she spent three months studying Catholicism and creating her own "murder dossier" after Wes Anderson hired her to play a knife-wielding nun in his espionage comedy, "The Phoenician Scheme."