Deadline is reporting that the highly anticipated sequel to 2009’s mega-hit film Star Trek is still at the 70 page outline stage with no completed script and Deadline thinks that may have to be pushed back from its original June 2012 release date to Christmas 2012 instead.

We are not at all surprised by this development (if true).  Seriously, Have you seen the amount of projects Abrams, Kurtzman, Orci, Burk and Lindelof have been associated with over the last two years while still trying to get Trek 12 going?

J.J. Abrams:

• Fringe
• The People Speak
• Undercovers
• Anatomy of Hope
• Morning Glory
• Super 8
• Alcatraz 
• Person of Interest
• Cloverfield Sequel
• Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Bryan Burk:

• Fringe
• Undercovers
• Anatomy of Hope
• Morning Glory
• Super 8
• Alcatraz
• Person of Interest
• Cloverfield Sequel
• Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Alex Kurtzman:

• Fringe
• The Proposal
• Hawaii Five-O
• Transformers Prime
• Cowboys and Aliens
• Welcome to People
• Exit Strategy
• Locke And Key
• Without Remorse
• (Untitled Shane Salerno/Kurtzman-Orci Project)

Roberto Orci:

• Fringe
• The Proposal
• Hawaii Five-O
• Transformers Prime
• Cowboys and Aliens
• Welcome to People
• Exit Strategy
• Locke And Key
• Without Remorse
• (Untitled Shane Salerno/Kurtzman-Orci Project)

Damon Lindelof:

• Once Upon a Time
• Ollie Klubershturf vs Nazis
• Cowboys and Aliens
• Prometheus

So, these guys have had a lot on their plate, to say the least and Orci, Kurtzman and Abrams (and everywhere Abrams goes, Burk goes as well) are pretty much three of the hottest tickets in Hollywood right now so expect that they’ll have even more on the plate.  Orci admits to Trekmovie.com that they have a 70 page outline and that they are waiting for Abrams to commit to and have time to sign off on the outline so they can proceed with turning it into a script which they claim will take no time at all once they get the go ahead.

This coincides with Abrams’ recent comments at the premiere of Super 8, indicate that he is eager to get working on the project.  From Cinema Blend:

Paramount has set June 29, 2012 as the sequel’s release date but when asked if he thought they’d be able to make that date Abrams wouldn’t commit. Instead he says, “I care much more that it be good than it be ready. I’m, obviously doing everything I can to make sure that schedules don’t get screwed up. But I don’t think anyone wants a movie on time that’s not worth your time.” He actually seems enthusiastic about getting back to work on the Enterprise, “We want to make sure it’s done right. The guys I’ve been working with are obviously brilliant so I’m really excited to get back into it. So this is something I’ve been working on pretty closely, so in part they’re like, fine we’ll meet you to discuss.”

So that’s where we’re at right now. In the meantime enjoy this incredibly hilarious, yet spot-on review of Star Trek (2009) by Red Letter Media.