Star Trek 2 is underway

Sequels have always had a lot of pressure behind them.  To add to that pressure, it’s a sequel from a rebooted, iconic TV and movie franchise with an almost cult-like following.  That’s right, Star Trek 2 is on its way.  J.J. Abrams (Super 8) brought the Enterprise back to the final frontier over two years ago complete with original characters and a storyline that allowed the classic series and films to exist within the same galaxy.

Currently shooting in Los Angeles, the film has yet to be titled.  It also has yet to claim a central villain, though rumor has it Benedict Cumberbatch (War Horse) may play the role.  The original Star Trek sequel, Wrath of Khan, is held in such high regard that it is considered the Moby Dick of Trek films, leaving little room for error for not just Cumberbatch (possibly playing Khan himself), but the entire cast.  On the project’s side, however, is the fact that Abrams did not rush into the production too quickly and a cast who performed brilliantly the first go around.  Bodly going, again, is Zoe Saldana (Colombiana), Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League), Simon Pegg (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol), Karl Urban (Red), Chris Pine (Unstoppable), Anton Yelchin (Fright Night), Zachary Quinto (Margin Call), John Cho (A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas), Peter Weller (Robocop), Nazneen Contractor (24- tv series), Joseph Gatt (Thor) and Tom Archdeacon (J. Edgar).

Writer Damon Lindelof (Cowboys and Aliens) expressed his enthusiasm for the film and of the cast to Hero Complex:
"I have had the good fortune to once again step upon the Enterprise bridge, surrounded by the primary colors worn by, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest casts ever assembled. Every single person involved with this movie has the same ambition — to do everything they can to justify the long wait … to live up to the lofty expectations of 40-year ‘Trek’ fans and those who are coming to the party for the first time. The energy is crackling. The warp core is primed. And we are, at long last, ready to boldly go once again. I hope to God we don’t screw it up."

For all you Trekkies dying for a storyline, Abrams is keeping mum, but best guess?  See the Star Trek episode entitled “Space Seed” as a possible start.