Roberto Orci

Born:July 20, 1973

Place of Birth:Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico [now Mexico City, Mexico]

Died:February 25, 2025

Known For:Production

Biography

Roberto Orci, a visionary Mexican-American screenwriter and producer, left an indelible mark on the film and television industry during his illustrious career. Born on July 20, 1973, Orci's creative journey began alongside his longtime collaborator, Alex Kurtzman, while they were students in California. Together, they ventured into the world of television, contributing to iconic series such as Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess, showcasing their knack for storytelling and character development.

In 2008, Orci, Kurtzman, and J. J. Abrams joined forces to create the mind-bending series, Fringe, captivating audiences with its intriguing narrative and compelling characters. Their creative synergy continued to flourish as they delved into the realm of blockbuster films, starting with the explosive action of Michael Bay's The Island. This collaboration led to the duo crafting the scripts for the groundbreaking Transformers film series, solidifying their reputation as masters of the cinematic craft.

As Orci transitioned into the role of a film producer, his talents shone brightly in projects like 2008's Eagle Eye and 2009's The Proposal, where his keen eye for detail and storytelling prowess elevated the films to new heights. His collaboration with Kurtzman and Abrams reached new heights with their involvement in Mission: Impossible III and the revitalization of the iconic Star Trek franchise with Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness, captivating audiences with their fresh take on beloved characters and stories.

Between 2005 and 2011, Orci and Kurtzman's combined film projects amassed staggering revenues exceeding $3 billion, a testament to their creative genius and box office appeal. Despite their monumental success in film, Orci and Kurtzman made a pivotal decision in April 2014 to focus solely on television projects, a move that led Orci to create the gripping series Matador for the El Rey Network, showcasing his versatility as a storyteller.

Throughout his career, Orci's contributions were recognized with prestigious accolades such as the Norman Lear Writer's Award and the Raul Julia Award for Excellence, underscoring his impact on the entertainment industry. Despite facing challenges like the cancellation of Matador, Orci remained resilient and continued to shape the television landscape with projects like Limitless and Scorpion, reaffirming his status as a prolific producer and creative force in the industry.

Roberto Orci's legacy endures through his groundbreaking work, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication to storytelling, leaving behind a cinematic tapestry that will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for generations to come.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Mission: Impossible III

Party Guest (uncredited)

2006

Retired from active duty, and training recruits for the Impossible Mission Force, agent Ethan Hunt faces the toughest foe of his career: Owen Davian, an international broker of arms and information, who's as cunning as he is ruthless. Davian emerges to threaten Hunt and all that he holds dear – including the woman Hunt loves.

Production

Mission: Impossible III

Writer

2006

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Story

2014

For Peter Parker, life is busy. Between taking out the bad guys as Spider-Man and spending time with the person he loves, Gwen Stacy, high school graduation cannot come quickly enough. Peter has not forgotten about the promise he made to Gwen’s father to protect her by staying away, but that is a promise he cannot keep. Things will change for Peter when a new villain, Electro, emerges, an old friend, Harry Osborn, returns, and Peter uncovers new clues about his past.

Now You See Me

Producer

2013

An FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.

The Proposal

Executive Producer

2009

When she learns she's in danger of losing her visa status and being deported, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton, to marry her.

Star Trek

Writer

2009

The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock, a Vulcan, was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before. The human adventure has begun again.

Now You See Me 2

Producer

2016

One year after outwitting the FBI and winning the public’s adulation with their mind-bending spectacles, the Four Horsemen resurface only to find themselves face to face with a new enemy who enlists them to pull off their most dangerous heist yet.

Star Trek Into Darkness

Writer

2013

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

The Island

Screenplay

2005

In 2019, Lincoln Six-Echo is a resident of a seemingly "Utopian" but contained facility. Like all of the inhabitants of this carefully-controlled environment, Lincoln hopes to be chosen to go to The Island — reportedly the last uncontaminated location on the planet. But Lincoln soon discovers that everything about his existence is a lie.

Star Trek Beyond

Producer

2016

The USS Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.

Power Rangers

Producer

2017

Five ordinary teens must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove — and the world — is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it’s too late, band together as the Power Rangers.

The Mummy

Executive Producer

2017

Though safely entombed in a crypt deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient queen whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension.

Eagle Eye

Producer

2008

Jerry Shaw and Rachel Holloman are two strangers whose lives are suddenly thrown into turmoil by a mysterious woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, the unseen caller uses everyday technology to control their actions and push them into increasing danger. As events escalate, Jerry and Rachel become the country's most-wanted fugitives and must figure out what is happening to them.

Ender's Game

Producer

2013

Based on the classic novel by Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game is the story of the Earth's most gifted children training to defend their homeplanet in the space wars of the future.

Cowboys & Aliens

Screenplay

2011

A stranger stumbles into the desert town of Absolution with no memory of his past and a futuristic shackle around his wrist. With the help of mysterious beauty Ella and the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde, he finds himself leading an unlikely posse of cowboys, outlaws, and Apache warriors against a common enemy from beyond this world in an epic showdown for survival.

The Legend of Zorro

Story

2005

Despite trying to keep his swashbuckling to a minimum, a threat to California's pending statehood causes the adventure-loving Don Alejandro de la Vega and his wife, Elena, to take action.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Writer

2009

Sam Witwicky leaves the Autobots behind for a normal life. But when his mind is filled with cryptic symbols, the Decepticons target him and he is dragged back into the Transformers' war.

Transformers

Story

2007

Young teenager Sam Witwicky becomes involved in the ancient struggle between two extraterrestrial factions of transforming robots – the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. Sam holds the clue to unimaginable power and the Decepticons will stop at nothing to retrieve it.