The end of 2013’sStar Trek Into Darknessteased that the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise would finally start its “five-year journey” that served as the basis of the iconicStar TrekTV series. While the upcoming sequelStar Trek 3has had its ups and downs, withStar TrekandStar Trek Into DarknessdirectorJ.J. Abramsleaving to makeStar Wars: The Force Awakens, and his replacementRoberto Orcialso backing out, the production is finally on track with directorJustin Linand a new script by star/writerSimon PeggandDoug Jung. With production set to begin in three weeks,Justin Linconfirmed that the sequel will show the crew of the Enterprise on their five-year mission.
“They haven’t really gone on their five-year mission, so what we experienced in the TV show hasn’t been touched on yet. That sets up an opportunity for exploration and the deeper you go, the more you are examining humanity. Those are the things that I absorbed as a kid and hope to tap into and embrace and celebrate.”
While the first two movies included plenty of characters and other references from the original TV series, the filmmaker added that this sequel will show fans new worlds and species that have never been explored yet.
“It’s all new and fresh. The Klingons, Romulans and other species are great, but it’s time to go further. It has been fun to focus on creating whole new worlds and species.”
The filmmaker also shared thatJ.J. Abrams, who still serves as a producer onStar Trek 3, called him out of the blue and asked him to direct the sequel, while sharing his fond memories of the original show as a child.
“I was in the last week shootingTrue DetectivewhenJ.J. Abramscalled last December. He asked me, do you likeStar Trek? If you do, you should take this, be bold, and just go for it.' I thought about how much a part of my lifeStar Trekwas. Growing up, my parents had this little fish and chips restaurant in Anaheim in the shadows of Disneyland, and they didn’t close until 9 PM. As a family, we didn’t eat dinner until 10 PM, and we would watch the originalStar Trekevery night at 11. My dad worked 364 days a year, only took Thanksgiving off, and from age 8 to 18, the only time I could hang out with my parents was by staying up late. And every night, it wasStar Trekon Channel 13 in L.A. That was my childhood. All my friends were Star Wars kids but I didn’t go to the movies, so I was theStar Trekkid. Thinking about this, it became a very personal and very emotional decision.”
Are you excited thatStar Trek 3will finally show the Enterprise’s five year mission, and take us to new worlds? WriterSimon Pegghas previously said in interviews that the story will embrace the original show’s spirit, and it’s worth noting that the sequel is set to hit theaters in 2016, the same year thatStar Trekwill celebrate its 50th Anniversary. Chime in with your thoughts below.
