Roberto Orci, writer-producer of 'Star Trek,' 'Transformers,' dies at 51
What's the story
Roberto Orci, the prolific writer-producer behind some of the biggest sci-fi and action sagas, has passed away. He was 51.
Orci, who was born in Mexico City on July 20, 1973, had a decades-long career where he worked on commercially successful projects like the Star Trek (2009-2016) revival trilogy, Transformers (2007), Mission: Impossible III (2006), and several TV series.
As per Deadline, he died due to kidney failure at his Los Angeles home on Tuesday.
Career journey
Orci's early career and Hollywood success
Orci started off in television, writing for shows such as Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
A frequent collaborator of Alex Kurtzman, he co-wrote The Legend of Zorro, before moving on to high-profile Hollywood blockbusters.
His work on 2009's Star Trek revived the franchise, resulting in two more film sequels.
He was also a co-writer for Transformers (2007) and its 2009 follow-up, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
Television influence
Orci's impact on television and production ventures
Apart from films, Orci also contributed a lot to television. He co-created the sci-fi series Fringe, which had a cult following and ran for a total of five seasons.
His reboot of Hawaii Five-0 ran for 10 seasons on CBS, and another co-creation, Sleepy Hollow, reimagined the classic tale for four seasons.
He also worked on Alias with JJ Abrams. Beyond writing, Orci produced Now You See Me (2013), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), and The Mummy (2017).
Personal controversies
Orci's personal life and legal battles
In August 2024, a lawsuit accused Orci of physically and sexually assaulting his wife, Adele Heather Taylor.
This came two months after Orci filed a separate lawsuit, alleging that Taylor had abused him repeatedly and financially exploited him during his struggle with alcoholism.
His spokesperson Sallie Hofmeister said, "Ms. Taylor's counterclaim is an attempt to retaliate against her husband with fabricated allegations after he got a restraining order against her."
Lasting impact
Orci's legacy in Hollywood and beyond
Orci's work on Star Trek (2009) brought the franchise to a new audience, earning over $385 million worldwide.
His involvement in Transformers cemented the franchise as a box office powerhouse, with the 2007 film grossing over $700 million worldwide.
His television contributions were equally extensive, with shows like Fringe and Hawaii Five-0 gaining dedicated followings.
Spanning both film and television, Orci's influence shaped major franchises that continue to leave a lasting mark on the industry.