Speaking to Empire Online, Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty in the rebooted Star Trek universe created and brought to screen by J J Abrams, has been revealing the basic plot set up and character motivations ahead of Star Trek Beyond and the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Co-written by Pegg and Doug Jung and now featuring Fast and Furious director, Justin Lin, Star Trek Beyond promises a bold new threat to the crew of the Enterprise and to the Federation. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), McCoy (Karl Urban), Ulhura (Zoe Saldana) and the rest of the team are two years into their five year mission which involves travelling through uncharted space and recording galactic life. The mission is wearing them down, being far from home or civilisation for so long. “They’ve come to a rest at a Federation outpost, a sort of diplomatic hub” says Pegg. That’s when it all goes wrong.
Krall, the blue faced alien played by Idris Elba (Luther), takes an exception to the Federation and decides to take his angst out on the Enterprise and it’s crew. “What’s the point of it all?” says Pegg, suggesting that WHY will be the big driving force behind the film and the Enterprise crew. What happened to Krall, why does he hate them so much? “I felt like it was important to really deconstruct the idea of Star Trek, the idea of the Federation and why it’s special,” chipped in Lin. You can feel that from the trailer. We are going back to basics, it’s survival on an alien world light years from home.
I really like the new Star Trek universe. Star Trek Into Darkness was nearly a perfect film, despite how it ended with the fate of Kirk that made the writing seem all too convenient. I am definitely looking forward to seeing more from this.To hear more from Simon Pegg and director Justin Lin, pick up the next issue of Empire, in stores April 28th, for a run down of the extended interview. Are you guys excited for the next Star Trek and how do you feel knowing J J Abrams will not be directing? Send your thoughts @CelebCutout on twitter. Star Trek Beyond is coming to cinemas July 22nd.
