Star Trek Beyond

While we still don’t know much about the plot or new characters of Star Trek Beyond, we do know this: we’ll be able to see whatever happens in the upcoming film on the biggest screen possible, as Paramount has officially revealed plans to release the third Star Trek film in IMAX. Now, if they’d just tell us anything else about this movie…

Star Trek Beyond had a bit of a bumpy road before it finally went into production with Justin Lin in the director’s chair and Simon Pegg putting in overtime as both actor and co-screenwriter. But these guys really turned it around, as evidenced in part by their series of charming charity videos. The latest photo update from the set confirms that the new Trek sequel has officially wrapped production, and we can begin counting the days until the film hits theaters next summer.

Now that Star Trek Beyond has officially gotten its warp core up and running, Star Trek’s franchise future has fans wondering more than ever if a return (or extension) to TV lies in store. Now, a new report lays out some of the complicated rights issues keeping Starfleet affixed to cinemas for the moment, though not without some hope for the upcoming 50th anniversary.

Paramount and Justin Lin are just about ready to hit engage on the production of Star Trek Beyond, the third film in the rebooted Star Trek franchise featuring Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Mr. Spock. Shooting is scheduled to begin this week in Vancouver, but before cameras could roll there was some negotiating that had to get done between Paramount and Pine and Quinto’s agents.

The uncertain success of Star Trek 3 has chummed waters that the franchise might return to TV before long, something echoed in numerous reports over the last year. We may now have official confirmation however, as Paramount has reportedly invited one fan to pitch a new idea, signaling at least the potential for another TV Star Trek iteration.

After a series of fits and starts with Roberto Orci, who was supposed to write and direct the film before dropping out of the project, Star Trek 3 (supposedly aka Star Trek Beyond) is falling into place under the direction of Fast & Furious filmmaker Justin Lin. After Orci left, the script for the film was rewritten by Doug Jung and the reboot series’ Scotty, Simon Pegg. In a new interview with The Guardian, Pegg explained why Paramount hired him to revamp Orci’s screenplay. According to him, the studio is looking to make Star Trek “more inclusive”:

News about Star Trek 3 has been coming at a slow trickle, but at least it’s a positive, nourishing trickle that has us thinking the third film in this still freshly-rebooted universe will be a significant course correction after the disappointing Star Trek Into Darkness. And, strangely enough, the rumored title for the next movie only adds to the behind-the-scenes narrative of “Yes, we’re sorry. We’re fixing it. We promise.”

It was announced a little while ago that Idris Elba is joining the cast of Star Trek 3, in which he’ll play the film’s big villain. Many fans quickly began speculating about which classic Star Trek villain Elba might be playing, with a Klingon being the most popular theory. Simon Pegg, who is now scripting the film, has confirmed that Elba is definitely not playing a Klingon — in fact, he’s not playing anyone who you’re familiar with at all.

Sofia Boutella was one of the many highlights in Kingsman: The Secret Service, so we’re happy to hear about her getting cast in any other high-profile project. But Star Trek 3? That’s just cool news, plain and simple. Between this and the rumored casting of Idris Elba, Paramount and director Justin Lin look to be making some pretty bold choices as they expand their ensemble.

Star Trek’s rebooted cinematic tenure under J.J. Abrams has led to diminishing returns, Star Trek 3 just barely making it off the ground, leading many to wonder when Gene Roddenberry’s iconic franchise might return to its TV roots. That time may already be upon us, CBS is reportedly looking to boldly go forward with a new TV Star Trek.