Brace yourselves, folks: we’ve got a Star Trek 2 story today that’s not about who the film’s villain is or isn’t.  Back in December, we learned that director J.J. Abrams was mulling over the IMAX format for the untitled sequel after having elected to shoot on film and post-convert to 3D. We saw said IMAX cameras on set courtesy of some recent set photos, and today it was officially announced that the film will be released in IMAX 3D when it hits theaters, featuring key sequences shot in IMAX.  Here’s what Abrams had to say about the format:

"We were so thrilled with the creative results of shooting IMAX for Mission: Impossible that we jumped at the chance to use the format for Star Trek. All expectations were exceeded -- the action and resolution is insane at this scale.  We cannot wait for audiences to see the crew of the Enterprise in a way they never have before.”

Hit the jump for more, including the full press release.

The press release regarding the IMAX 3D release confirms that “several key sections of the film that feature big action set pieces” were shot using IMAX cameras.  Christopher Nolan has been a huge advocate of the format, with reportedly up to an hour of footage in The Dark Knight Rises having been shot with IMAX cameras.  It really is a truly immersive experience, and I’m eager to see Abrams’ Star Trek sequel on the big, big screen.

Joining returning castmembers Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban, John Cho are newcomers Alice Eve and Peter Weller, with Benedict Cumberbatch onboard as the film’s unspecified villain.  Though the pic won’t be heading to Comic-Con next month, the Star Trek sequel will hit theaters on May 17th, 2013 in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D.  Read the full press release below.

Los Angeles, CA – Jun. 13, 2012 – IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX) 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 the Enterprise are 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.

"We were so thrilled with the creative results of shooting IMAX for Mission: Impossible that we jumped at the chance to use the format for Star Trek. All expectations were exceeded -- the action and resolution is insane at this scale.  We cannot wait for audiences to see the crew of the Enterprise in a way they never have before," said J.J. Abrams.

"J.J. and the filmmaking team behind the Star Trek franchise are once again working to give audiences one of the best film going experiences available today," said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures. “Following the great success of the first film in the newly revived franchise, the sequel to Star Trek will no doubt be among the top choices for moviegoers next summer.”

“We are extremely proud to be continuing our successful partnership with Paramount Pictures, J.J., Bryan Burk, Bad Robot and the entire Star Trek team through this iconic franchise that has the perfect DNA for IMAX fans,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

The IMAX release of the Star Trek sequel will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.