The announcement contains no new information on the twelfth theatrical Star Trek, which is in absolutely no way surprising, given Abrams's well-known penchant for mystery box secrecy.
Outside of the studio's press released, the LA Times reports that the sequel, currently referred to simply as Star Trek 2, is shooting interiors on the Sony Pictures sound stages in Culver City, where the Enterprise Bridge has been reconstructed. Production will last twelve weeks at the very least and will once again utilize locations all over the Southland, just as its predecessor did several years back. Additionally, the sequel is apparently employing some 600 people.
Anyways, here's the official word from Paramount:
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 13, 2012) – Paramount Pictures announced
today that principal photography has commenced in Los Angeles, CA on the
sequel to STAR TREK from director J.J. Abrams. The film will be
released on May 17, 2013 in 3D. The 2009 re-launch of the “Star Trek”
franchise by Abrams was met with critical acclaim and a worldwide gross
of over $385 million at the box office.
Paramount
Pictures and Skydance Productions present a Bad Robot Production of a
J.J. Abrams Film. Returning to their posts on the Enterprise are John
Cho, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoë
Saldana, Karl Urban, and Anton Yelchin. They are joined by new cast
members Benedict Cumberbatch, Alice Eve and Peter Weller.
Based
upon “Star Trek” created by Gene Roddenberry, the film is produced by
J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Damon Lindelof, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.
The script was written by Alex Kurtzman & Robert Orci & Damon
Lindelof.
Jeffrey Chernov, David
Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Paul Schwake are the executive producers. The
director of photography is Dan Mindel, ASC, BSC. The production
designer is Scott Chambliss. The film is edited by Maryann Brandon,
A.C.E. and Mary Jo Markey, A.C.E. The costume designer is Michael
Kaplan. The music is by Michael Giacchino.
Interestingly, the announcement leaves out one new cast member, failing to mention Noel Clarke, who reportedly joined the ensemble earlier this month.
Unlike the last film, Star Trek 2 will be converted into 3D during post-production (Get your Rogue 3D Eyewear right here, people), a process that won't impact those signature lens flares. Nothing is known about the story and the antagonist remains completely unknown. It's been assumed that Benedict Cumberbatch is play the bad guy, though both he and Abrams have played coy on that point.
Whatever the story, Star Trek 2 is set for May 17, 2013.
