Exclusive: Bob Orci reveals new designs are underway for Enterprise and more in 'Star Trek 2'

SAN DIEGO - When you are associated with a popular franchise such as Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" films, "The Hobbit" or even the long-awaited "Avengers," its hard not to find yourself constantly being asked questions about the next film in the pipeline.  J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Alex Kurtzman and Bob Orci have had numerous high profile projects in theaters and in television over the past two years, but they get more questions about "Star Trek 2" than any other project.  So, when Orci hit Comic-Con yesterday to speak at a panel for "Transformers: Prime" and the world premiere of "Cowboys & Aliens," he knew what he was in for.

"I think we really know what the movie is going to be," Orci says. "We are in soft prep. We have designers working on the Enterprise and what could change. We have designers working on the alien planets whatever they may be.  I can't tell you exactly.  We're really on track. We really do what we believe as an idea for the sequel. I believe he is resting as a result of 'Super 8,' but I believe we are going to announce very soon now when things are going to happen."

Orci also added, "We pitched the story at Paramount and they loved it."

In a jovial mood, Orci also made a revelation that makes it clear just how far into prep the project really is.

"Yesterday, I was at a meeting with me and Alex with J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof looking at designs for how the Enterprise might change," Orci says. "So, we were with Scott Chamblis, an amazing production designer who we worked with on 'Alias' and who did 'Cowboys & Aliens' and is now back for 'Star Trek.'  And yesterday, we were looking at designs for the alien planets we might be looking at.  He had actual card board cut outs of the opening sequence with the Enterprise.  I can't tell you where it is. Flying over, I can't tell you where, but we are working on it.  We are not just laying around."

In the meantime, Orci is enthusiastic about his HUB animated TV series, "Transformers: Prime," the release of "Cowboys & Aliens" and possibly new animated series in the future.

You can find the entire entertaining interview covering all those subjects and more embedded in the post above.