STAR TREK BEYOND had gone through a rather dreadful existence up to its filming. J.J. Abrams, director of STAR TREK (2009) and STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, backed out of helming the third picture in favor of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, screenwriter Robert Orci signed on as director and then quickly signed off, and then, finally, Justin Lin (FAST & FURIOUS franchise) signed on after many more rumored directors fell to the wayside. And now we have a trailer!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRVD32rnzOw
Paramount Pictures alongside Bad Robot (Abrams will continue to produce the STAR TREK films) have put together a trailer that feels very different from the previous two STAR TREK films. The Beastie Boys’ Sabotage plays throughout the entire trailer (a homage to Abrams’ use of the song during a scene in the first film) which, while cool during the first few seconds, gives the film a bit of a GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY feel that seems somewhat odd. The humor is appreciated after the dark and gloomy INTO DARKNESS, though, so it’s always possible that this may end up becoming a Trek that’s more fun than gritty. One thing’s for sure, too: Lin is definitely bringing the quick-paced action of FAST & FURIOUS into the STAR TREK universe.
The filmmakers are keeping a tight lid on the plot of BEYOND, but it is known that Idris Elba (THOR, PROMETHEUS) will portray the film’s villain. He joins returning cast members Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, John Cho, and Anton Yelchin.
STAR TREK BEYOND warps into theaters July 22, 2016.
