Star Trek 3: Simon Pegg to co-write movie

The actor will also star in the movie as Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott

Simon Pegg has been signed up for Python movie 'Absolutely Anything' (Getty Images)

Simon Pegg will co-write the next Star Trek movie, it has been confirmed.

The actor and writer has been asked to come on board after the original screenwriter left the project.

Pegg will take over script duties with the help of TV writer Doug Jung, whose credits include cop series Dark Blue, Big Love and Confidence.

Jung impressed film company Paramount with his script for a film called Diamond, which is how he got the job, according to Deadline.

The pair will take over from previous writers Roberto Orci, Patrick McKay and John D Payne, who left after Orci pulled out as director.

Orci, who co-wrote the last two films in the series, is said to have departed over disagreements with the script.

Pegg is also set to reprise his role as engineer Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in the franchise, which was rebooted in 2009 by director JJ Abrams.

His previous writing credits include Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End, which formed part of his “cornetto trilogy” of British comedies with director Edgar Wright.

Star Trek 3 is due to be released in the summer of 2016.

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