Paramount Pictures has released a series of new TV spots for Star Trek Beyond that offer a closer look at the Justin Lin-directed sequel. The Fast & Furious 6 filmmaker takes the reins from J.J. Abrams as Paramount looks to launch the Trek franchise into mega-blockbuster territory. The film has a lot going for it, including a script by Simon Pegg and Doug Jung and the promise of delving into the Enterprise’s five-year mission, but I remain curious to see just what kind of sci-fi picture Lin plans on bringing to audiences. Is it more action-centric? An emotional character study? A brainy intellectual exercise with thematic resonance? All of the above?
These TV spots certainly play up the aspect of Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk following in the footsteps of his father, going so far as to use footage from Abram’s stellar 2009 reboot featuring Chris Hemsworth to drive home the point that A. Yes, Chris Hemsworth is part of the official Star Trek canon and B. Kirk’s got some seriously unresolved Daddy Issues.
Moreover, Paramount Pictures has announced that Rihanna’s new single “Sledgehammer”, written for Star Trek Beyond, will debut exclusively in IMAX theaters on Thursday, June 30th. Directed by Floria Sigismondi, the video was shot entirely with the new digital ALEXA IMAX camera.
For now, take a look at the new TV spots below along with a featurette in which Rihanna discusses her Trek fandom. The film also stars John Cho, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, Sofia Boutella, and Idris Elba. Star Trek Beyond opens in theaters on July 22nd.
Here’s the official synopsis for Star Trek Beyond:
“STAR TREK BEYOND,” the highly anticipated next installment in the globally popular Star Trek franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry and reintroduced by J.J. Abrams in 2009, returns with director Justin Lin (“The Fast and the Furious” franchise) at the helm of this epic voyage of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her intrepid crew. In “Beyond,” the Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.
