Kurtzman, Orci eye move to Skydance

Skydance has also come on board to co-produce the next 'Star Trek,' which Kurtzman and Orci are writing."Star Trek" and "Transformers" scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are in negotiations to move their K.O. Paper Products shingle to David Ellison's Skydance Productions. No further details were available but sources say the deal is shaping up as more than a basic production pact. Skydance had no comment. Kurtzman and Orci's current deal at DreamWorks is slated to expire at year-end. The split from DreamWorks is said to be a friendly one, as sources say the scribe-producers sat down with DreamWorks' co-chairman/CEO Stacey Snider to talk about their new venture. Kurtzman and Orci have several films they are still working on with DreamWorks, including "Welcome to People," which is slated to bow in 2012. The first film that Ellison, Kurtzman and Orci will produce together with Skydance is "Without Remorse," a thriller based on the Tom Clancy tome. Skydance has also come on board to co-produce the next "Star Trek" sequel that Orci and Kurtzman are writing and J.J. Abrams is set to direct. Though Kurtzman and Orci haven't previously worked with Skydance, the partners and Ellison are said to share similar visions for films they'd like to make. Ellison has said he's interested in big-budget tentpole pics, and the hypenates' work has been focused on such pics as "Star Trek" and "Transformers." The two have also built a strong relationship with Paramount, where Skydance's production deal is set up. Kurtzman and Orci are currently working on several projects, including Fox's "Fringe" TV series and the next "Star Trek" film. Skydance's next pic, "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" bows Dec. 16. Kurtzman and Orci are repped by CAA. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com