Quentin Tarantino's 'Star Trek' film taps screenwriter Mark L. Smith

Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Screenwriter Mark L. Smith has been selected to pen filmmaker Quentin Tarantino's Star Trek project that is in development at Paramount.

Smith is best known for writing 2015's The Revenant starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The screenwriter was a part of a writer's room that was put together by Tarantino and Star Trek producer J.J. Abrams after Tarantino had shared his pitch for a potential film, noted The Hollywood Reporter.

Tarantino is looking to direct the film which he is producing alongside Abrams. Paramount is allowing the pair to make Star Trek rated R, the same as all the films Tarantino has directed, Deadline reported.

Abrams rebooted the sci-fi film series in 2009 with Star Trek and followed it up with 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness. The third film in the series, Star Trek Beyond from director Justin Lin, grossed $343 million worldwide in 2016.

Tarantino is also working on his ninth film which will be financed and distributed by Sony. The project will take place in the summer of 1969 and will involve the Manson Family murders.