After the development of a sequel to 2009’s hit Star Trek languished far too long for fans to take, production has not only finally begun but filming is ramping up quite nicely. In addition to some notable casting points, director J.J. Abrams and Paramount have now announced Star Trek 2 will hit theaters in IMAX and 3D.
If Prometheus taught us anything, it’s that a lovingly created space opera in IMAX and 3D is absolutely worth the associated surcharges and that in can in fact enhance the experience wonderfully. With the talented Abrams at the helm, this announcement is actually rather exciting, rather than off-putting.
It was also just announced that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will also shoot select sequences in the IMAX format (though no added dimension). Let’s hope this is the start of a trend for blockbusters.
You can read the press release below:
IMAX Corporation and Paramount Pictures Corporation, a unit of Viacom Inc., today announced that the sequel to J.J. Abrams’ 2009 blockbuster Star Trek, will be released in the immersive IMAX® 3D format on May 17, 2013. The film represents the second feature in the ground-breaking franchise to be released in IMAX following Star Trek, which grossed more than $375 million at the worldwide box office.
Following on the heels of Paramount Pictures’ and Bad Robot’s 2011 hit, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the filmmakers have once again taken full advantage of the IMAX® camera as well as the clarity and scope that The IMAX Experience® provides in order to transport fans into this 23rd century world. Several key sections of the film that feature big action set pieces have been captured with IMAX cameras, which has become an integral tool for visionary filmmakers to tell their amazing stories.
Exclusively in IMAX, sequences shot with the extremely high-resolution cameras will expand to fill the entire screen and further immerse the audience in the vast dimension and adventure of this highly-anticipated follow-up. Directed by J.J. Abrams and written by Damon Lindelof (Prometheus), Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Transformers,Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek) the sequel follows another chapter of the USS Enterprise crew’s exploration into the unknown. Returning to their posts on theEnterpriseare Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, and Bruce Greenwood. They are joined by new cast members Peter Weller and Alice Eve.
Star Trek 2 stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg and Benedict Cumberbatch and is set for a May 17, 2013 release.