Ready to go beyond time and space? Star Trek Beyond – the most recent installment of the ever-popular sci-fi franchise – warp-speeds into theatres on July 22. While you’re waiting, we’ve beamed up a few fun facts about the new film and its cast.
1. Idris Elba is Not a Klingon
When Idris Elba was cast as the movie’s main antagonist, rumours quickly spread that the Luther-star would be playing a Klingon. Such is not the case. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Elba revealed that his character’s name is Krall. Sound unfamiliar to all you hardcore Trekkers? That’s because Krall is a completely original character, and a new species in the Star Trek universe, created specifically for the movie. But don’t be fooled by the novelty. Apparently Krall is just as, if not more, frightening and intimidating as previous Star Trek villains.
2. Marvel-lous Villains
Speaking of villains, all of the main Star Trek foes in the past three films have a connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Eric Bana (Nero in 2009’s Star Trek) portrayed Bruce Banner in the 2003’s Hulk. Benedict Cumberbatch (Khan in 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness) will portray Doctor Strange in the eponymous Marvel movie, set to be released in 2017. And Idris Elba has portrayed Asgardian protector Heimdall in the Thor franchise.
3. Captain Kirk’s Daddy is an Avenger
But the Marvel connection doesn’t end there. If you didn’t recognize her without her green glow, Zoe Saldana (Lt. Uhura) is also Guardians of the Galaxy assassin Gamora. And ICYMI: before he hit the big-time blockbusters, Thor star Chris Hemsworth snagged a small but memorable role as James Kirk’s father in the opening sequence of the 2009 Star Trek reboot.
4. Scotty Wrote the Third Movie
While he’s best known as Montgomery “Scotty” Scott to Star Trek fans, actor and comedian Simon Pegg is also an experienced writer, having penned comedies like Hot Fuzz and Run, Fatboy, Run. After Star Trek Into Darkness wrapped up, producer J.J. Abrams enlisted Pegg to co-write the third movie with screenwriter Doug Jung. Although Pegg has many scripts to his name, Star Trek Beyond marks his first non-comedic screenplay.
5. No Place on Earth
Unlike the previous two Star Trek films, Beyond pushes away from the home planet and goes past the depths of the Federation. Meaning it doesn’t take place on Earth. At all.
6. The Year Is…
Probably somewhere around 2263. Star Trek Into Darkness left off at the year 2260 and the crew is well into its five-year mission by the start of the third film.
7. A New Bromance?
The previous films focused heavily on the budding friendship between Spock and Kirk, but Star Trek Beyond finds the duo split up and paired off with other characters. In fact, we can expect to see more scenes with Spock and McCoy… do we detect a bromantic love triangle in the works?
8. Don’t Expect to See the O.G. James Tiberius Kirk
After Leonard Nimoy made an appearance as Spock Prime in the first Star Trek film, rumours buzzed that William Shatner, the original Captain Kirk, would appear in the films. However, in a statement to SFX Magazine, Shatner made it clear that he won’t be hanging out on the bridge of the Enterprise anytime soon.
9. R.I.P., Chekov
This will be Anton Yelchin’s last Star Trek film. The actor who played the youthful Ensign Pavel Chekov tragically passed away in June at the age of 27. However, this isn’t Yelchin’s final acting role. He will receive posthumous billing for his four upcoming films – We Don’t Belong Here, Porto, Thoroughbred and Rememory.
10. Sulu Will Be an LGBT Character
John Cho’s Sulu makes history as the first main character in the Star Trek universe to be openly gay. While many are thrilled to have a further touch of diversity to the series, the decision has also been met by objections from others, including actor and LGBT icon George Takei, who portrayed Hikaru Sulu in the original TV series and the first six feature films. While Takei is delighted with the addition of a gay character, he disagreed with the choice to retrofit Sulu’s sexuality, opining that it was something creator Gene Roddenberry hadn’t originally specified. Beyond co-writer and actor Simon Pegg responded to Takei’s concerns in his personal blog, citing that “ultimately, if we love Star Trek, we are all on the same page, we all want Gene’s idea of a tolerant, inclusive, diplomatic and loving Universe to become a reality.”
11. The 50-year Mission
2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the Star Trek franchise, which includes seven television series, 13 movie adaptations, numerous novels and comic books. Star Trek: The Original Series – where it all began – aired for the first time in 1966.
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