According to Deadline, Orci passed away following his battle with kidney failure in his Los Angeles home on February 25, 2025. His career began in television, writing for Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. He frequently collaborated with Alex Kurtzman, co-writing The Legend of Zorro before transitioning to high-profile Hollywood blockbusters. His work on 2009’s Star Trek revitalized the franchise, leading to two additional film sequels. He also co-wrote Transformers (2007) and its 2009 follow-up, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. In addition to writing and producing, Orci launched Rubber Room Media, a production company focused on writer-driven content.
Rob Keyes, ScreenRant's Editorial, Brand, and PR Director, shared this statement as a tribute to Orci's contribution to the genre space and the website itself:
Today we feel a sense of tremendous loss for the geek community with Roberto Orci's passing. In the earliest days of ScreenRant nearly two decades ago, when the return of Star Trek to the big screen was in early development, the producer and writer was an active member of our own community. He participated in the comments on our website, and not just when we wrote about his many projects over the years, whether it was Trek, Fringe, Transformers, or The Amazing Spider-Man sequel. He was a fan. He loved the online community. I spent a few days with him on set, watching him excitedly film behind-the-scenes mementos with a handheld camcorder, a similar device to what I saw him wield while walking out on stage at San Diego Comic-Con to tease one of the juggernaut projects he contributed to over the years. He loved every bit of it and wanted to capture it and share it the same way he loved sharing stories and ideas for what he was working on.
What This Means For Roberto Orci's Life And Legacy
Roberto Orci Was Behind Many Beloved Franchises
Roberto Orci played a huge role in shaping modern blockbuster storytelling. His work on Star Trek (2009) introduced a new generation to the franchise, grossing over $385 million worldwide. Star Trek Into Darkness' (2013) box office followed with $467.4 million, making it the highest-grossing film in the franchise’s history. His involvement in Transformers helped establish the series as a box office juggernaut, with the 2007 film earning over $700 million globally. His approach to action and character-driven narratives contributed to the commercial viability of these properties.
He was a producer for Now You See Me, which became a sleeper hit and led to a blockbuster franchise with two additional sequels.
Orci's production work also extended beyond writing. He was a producer for Now You See Me, which became a sleeper hit and led to a blockbuster franchise with two additional sequels. Orci produced The Amazing Spider-Man 2, which was a divisive and important installment in the Spider-Man franchise. Additionally, his involvement in The Mummy (2017) was part of Universal’s attempt to launch a shared cinematic universe, and grossed $410 million globally. Across both film and television, Orci’s impact was tied to major intellectual properties that continue to have lasting effects on the industry.
Our Take On Roberto Orci's Incredible Life And Career
His Contributions Leave A Lasting Impact
