J.J Abrams to direct new ‘Star Wars’ movie; ‘Star Trek’ to hit theaters first

Hot on the heels of the announcement that he will be the director of the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode VII” J.J. Abrams is easily the most talked about filmmaker in Hollywood these days. With all of the hype surrounding the “Star Wars” announcement, its very easy to forget that the director already has a major science fiction film coming out in a few months. This picture is none other than the next installment of the legendary “Star Trek” franchise, “Star Trek: Into Darkness.” The sequel to Abrams’ wildly acclaimed and Oscar Winning 2009 quasi-reboot “Star Trek”, “Into Darkness” follows the continuing adventures of the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise as they explore the outer reaches of the galaxy.

If 2009’s “Star Trek” and Abrams’ follow up directorial feature “Super 8” are any indication, expect “Into Darkness” to be a spectacular, well paced, dramatic action adventure film. This is not your father’s “Trek.” While 2009’s “Star Trek” absolutely paid a wonderful homage to the original television series and films with its humor, impeccable casting and sense of adventure, it was, by design, less philosophical and and more action oriented in order to appeal to a wider audience. Not only did it work, but “Star Trek” became what no Trek film had become before, a blockbuster earning over 380 million dollars worldwide.

The entire main cast reprises their roles from the first film. “Into Darkness” stars Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Commander Spock, and Zoe Saldana as Lieutenant Uhura. Being a J.J. Abrams production, details are extremely tight on the films plot. However based on the released trailer, as well as the ten minute preview of the film that was shown before an IMAX presentation of “The Hobbit,” expect a much more dramatic and personal film this time around (in addition to the expected state-of-the-art special effects and production design).

In some exciting news for film buffs, “Star Trek Into Darkness” was shot in part with IMAX cameras, thankfully continuing a trend used in recent films by certain action filmmakers including Christopher Nolan in “The Dark Knight Rises,” and Abrams’s collaborator Brad Bird in “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.” As those privileged enough to have viewed these films in IMAX theaters very well know, the difference and clarity provided by the format are undisputedly superior.

Academy Award winning composer and frequent Abrams’ collaborator Michael Giacchino will return to score the film, following up on his spectacular effort on the score to 2009’s “Star Trek.”

Director J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek: Into Darkness” will undoubtably be one of the must-see blockbusters of the summer. With the “Star Wars” announcement, the future of the “Star Trek” franchise remains uncertain; all the more reason to cherish “Into Darkness” even more. Boldly head towards a theater near you when “Star Trek: Into Darkness” opens in theaters May 17, 2013.