Justin Lin is directing the pic, with Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana and Anton Yelchin all on board to return, reported Variety online.
JJ Abrams will produce along with his producing partner Bryan Burke and Skydance's David Ellison. Production is set to start in June.
Details of Elba's role are being kept under wraps.
Early rumours suggest that Klingons would be the main villains in this movie, as they have not had a full presence in previous installments.
Pegg and Doug Jung are writing the script.