Trekkies, rejoice! After news came in July that Paramount Pictures had shifted the release date for the as yet Untitled Star Trek Sequel to sometime in the fourth quarter of 2012 or summer of 2013, the status of the film seemed dubious, but we now bring you some good news.

Vulture reports that director J.J. Abrams is nowofficially on board to direct the Star Trek sequel. Part of the reason that Paramount has pushed the release date was apparently due to not being able to lock down Abrams as helmer for the film. Sources close to Abrams say that pre-production is already in progress and that a script is soon to follow.

The film is slated to begin shooting this winter.

The Untitled Star Trek Sequel is slated to hit theaters in 2012.