A sequel revolving around the early Star Trek heroes, James T. Kirk and Spock, is being readied for a 2008 release. The untitled project, the 11th in the series, will be produced, directed, and co-written by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias, Felicity, Mission Impossible III). Mission Impossible III is Abrams' first feature film.

The rest of the team includes producers Damon Landelof and Bryan Burk (Lost) and writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci who helped script MI3.

There is no information on the story or the cast. Rumours abound that the story will probably be a prequel harking back to the time when Captain Kirk and Spock met for the first time at Starfleet Academy. Prequels have been very popular with filmmakers in the past few years. Superman, Batman and Darth Vader are being presented in their youth avataars, in Superman Returns, Batman Begins, and Star Wars: Episodes I-III, respectively.

A Star Trek prequel was almost made two years ago but the project never took off. Many are not confident that a prequel may work given how Enterprise bombed. Hard-core Star Trek fans may not take too kindly to any tinkering with histories of Spock and Kirk.

Rumour also has it that Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays the villain in Abrams' MI III, has already expressed interest in playing a supporting role in the film. It's possible that he could play the role of a ship's doctor but not Dr. Leonard McCoy.

Hiring Abrams might be a smart move to rescue Star Trek's dwindling fortunes. The last film, Star Trek: Nemesis, floundered at the box office. The most recent Trek series was the 2001-05 Enterprise, the first attempt to go back to the future with characters who predated Kirk and Spock, that did not do well either. Infusing new blood may work for the declining franchise. This is the first time in 15 years that producer Rick Berman will not be involved. Also the Next Generation cast will not star in the movie for the first time in 10 years.

Abrams' Mission Impossible III will be released on May 5.