This year marks the50th Anniversaryof the originalStar TrekTV show, along with the release of Paramount’s third film in their reboot series,Star Trek Beyond. It was established at the end of 2013’sStar Trek Into Darknessthat the USS Enterprise crew was starting their famed five-year mission, but some fans were left with a bad taste in their mouth. Many thought the sequel was too similar to the second originalStar Trekmovie, 1982’sThe Wrath of Khan. DirectorJustin Lin, who takes over forJ.J. Abrams, says in a new interview that he really wanted to “deconstruct” the whole franchise, to honor its 50th Anniversary.
“This is the 50th anniversary. I felt like it was important to really deconstruct the idea ofStar Trek, the idea of the Federation and why it’s special. We’ll really be poking at a lot of different things.”
Along with a new director inJustin Lin, this sequel also has two new writers, with franchise starSimon Peggpulling double duty by portraying Scotty, and co-writing the script withDoug Jung. The actor-writer reveals that this story is set during theUSS Enterprise crew’s second year into their five-year mission, which is already starting to take its toll. The crew has come to a Federation outpost for some much-needed rest, when they encounterIdris Elba’s villainous Krall, who attacks the ship to show his hatred for the Federation. Here’s whatSimon Pegghad to say in his interview withEmpireabout the larger themes at play within the story.
“What’s the point of it all? We’re gathering a great community within the galaxy, but to what end? What does it all mean?”
Simon Peggwill be joined in the cast byStar TrekandStar Trek Into DarknessstarsChris Pine,Zachary Quinto,Karl Urban,Zoe Saldana,Jon ChoandAnton Yelchin, along with new cast membersIdris Elba,Sofia Boutella,Lydia WilsonandJoe Taslim.Justin Linis directing this new adventure, which hits theaters nationwide on July 22, going up againstIce Age: Collision CourseandLights Out. Stay tuned for more onStar Trek Beyondas we get closer to this highly-anticipatedsummer release.
