Zachary Quinto who plays Spock in the "Star Trek" franchise announced while on the NBC's Today show that things are really moving for the third installment of "Star Trek."

"I think it's on the horizon. Things are rumbling, so I have a feeling that we will be in production sometime in the next six months," said the actor responding to when he expects filming to begin. 

The 37-year-old actor confirmed that he expects to reprise his role as Spock in the upcoming film. 

J.J. Abrams, the director of the last two films in the series will be sitting the third movie out seeing as how he's got his hands full with another major blockbuster, "Star Wars: Episode VII." 

IGN reports that the famed director will be replaced by Roberto Orci, who knows the films intimately being a co-writer in the earlier movies. Recalling Orci's confirmation in August that a first draft has been completed, with the help of John D. Payne and Patrick McKay, a six month time frame for filming is pretty possible. 

Further, Orci has expressed to Collider a desire to direct the film, noted Mirror UK . He has also commented earlier that he plans to make the film an ode to the original TV series making it the closest in terms of production and storylines. 

Without wanting to assume or divulge anything prematurely, Orci said: "They are true Star Trek fans, as well. So, I can't even think anything about the future until I give them a script and they greenlight it. Until that happens, everything else is just a rumour."

Abrams, 48, confirmed his departure from the director's seat back in September shared E! News. 

"I feel very lucky to have been part of it, and it definitely feels like the right time to let someone come in and do their own thing. I'm very excited to see what comes next, despite feeling jealous of whoever that person is," said the director full of confidence in the success of "Star Trek."

Quinto is currently involved in reality television show, "The Chair" and is expected to return for the new movie with fellow actors Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana. 

The film is slated for a 2016 release. With production beginning early 2015, the untitled "Star Trek 3" film is still within its target to release the film by 2016 in time for the 50th anniversary of the franchise, which debuted on Sept. 8, 1966.