Scripting is well under way for the sequel to J.J. Abramsblockbuster Star Trek, and writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman are looking to the days of old for some inspiration.

Does that mean Khan may actually put in appearance? Will Kirk fight Gorn? Or should we merely expect to see more tie-in references (like those mentioning Star Trek: Enterprise's Capt. Archer and Porthos)? Lips are remaining so tightly locked on the actual content of the script that not even the Romulan Tal Shiar would be able to extract spoilers.

What is known, though, is that both writers are approaching the sequel like a whole new movie rather than a direct sequel, or even as the middle story of a trilogy. This will be a new Star Trek story that is as loyal to its origins as possible.

The last movie was all about breaking free from Star Trek and its canon, Orci said. Now that we can do whatever we want, we still want it to feel like good olStar Trek, even though its a new story.

However, one thing that will be vital in this outing will be the tone of family among the crew of the Enterprise. In the 2009 flick, the crew may have had their academy history. But their first mission - - not to mention the crisis on Vulcan - - certainly put a strain on the friendships that had developed. This time, the crew should be more united than they were previously.

It becomes about this family thats together, Kurtzman said. So now it becomes about the thing that shakes them up and challenges them.

Following its summer release in 2009, Star Trek became the all-time highest-grossing film in the franchise, even when adjusted for inflation. Starring Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock, the film earned more than $257 million at the box office.

The as-yet-untitled sequel is expected to hit theaters on June 29, 2012. Abrams is believed to be returning to the director's chair for that movie, although it hasn't been confirmed just yet.