IMAX & Paramount Officially Announce Star Trek Sequel To Be Released In IMAX 3D

Star Trek is once again headed to IMAX, but this time in 3D. Something we have already reported here at TrekMovie.com is being made official today with a press release announcing JJ Abrams’ Star Trek sequel will launch in IMAX 3D, with key sequences that were shot with IMAX cameras. See below for the full press release.

 

Star Trek returning to IMAX in 2013

Today Paramount and IMAX officially announced that JJ Abrams Star Trek sequel will be presented in IMAX 3D. In addition they confirmed that parts of the film were shot using IMAX cameras. This is the same technique which Abrams used as a producer of last years Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol

In the statement, Abrams said of IMAX:

"We were so thrilled with the creative results of shooting IMAX for Mission: Impossible that we jumped at the chance to use the format for Star Trek. All expectations were exceeded — the action and resolution is insane at this scale. We cannot wait for audiences to see the crew of the Enterprise in a way they never have before,"

Also, in his recent interview with TrekMovie.com, co-writer/producer Damon Lindelof talked about JJ shooting in IMAX:

JJ’s decision to shoot a lot of the movie in IMAX definitely makes the film seem a lot bigger and definitely the sequences he directed in IMAX I feel have tremendous scale and energy, without sacrificing any of things that I talked about on an emotional level.

JJ Abrams 2009 Star Trek movie was the first in the franchise to be presented in the IMAX format. For that presentation, the movie was converted to the larger IMAX format. Also the Star Trek movie was only avaialble for a limited time on IMAX as it was somewhat of a late addition to the distribution plan. This time the team clearly were thinking of IMAX from the beginning, so we can likely expect a standard IMAX rollout.


IMAX Trailer for 2009’s "Star Trek"

press release

Director J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Sequel to Launch in IMAX® 3D and Feature Key Sequences Filmed With IMAX® Cameras
The Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot Production Will Be Released Worldwide in IMAX® Theatres on May 17, 2013

LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — IMAX Corporation and Paramount Pictures Corporation, a unit of Viacom Inc., today announced that the sequel to J.J. Abrams’ 2009 blockbuster Star Trek, will be released in the immersive IMAX® 3D format on May 17, 2013. The film represents the second feature in the ground-breaking franchise to be released in IMAX following Star Trek, which grossed more than $375 million at the worldwide box office.

Following on the heels of Paramount Pictures’ and Bad Robot’s 2011 hit, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the filmmakers have once again taken full advantage of the IMAX® camera as well as the clarity and scope that The IMAX Experience® provides in order to transport fans into this 23rd century world. Several key sections of the film that feature big action set pieces have been captured with IMAX cameras, which has become an integral tool for visionary filmmakers to tell their amazing stories.

Exclusively in IMAX, sequences shot with the extremely high-resolution cameras will expand to fill the entire screen and further immerse the audience in the vast dimension and adventure of this highly-anticipated follow-up. Directed by J.J. Abrams and written by Damon Lindelof (Prometheus), Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Transformers, Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek) the sequel follows another chapter of the USS Enterprise crew’s exploration into the unknown. Returning to their posts on the Enterprise are Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, and Bruce Greenwood. They are joined by new cast members Peter Weller and Alice Eve.

"We were so thrilled with the creative results of shooting IMAX for Mission: Impossible that we jumped at the chance to use the format for Star Trek. All expectations were exceeded — the action and resolution is insane at this scale. We cannot wait for audiences to see the crew of the Enterprise in a way they never have before," said J.J. Abrams.

"J.J. and the filmmaking team behind the Star Trek franchise are once again working to give audiences one of the best film going experiences available today," said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures. "Following the great success of the first film in the newly revived franchise, the sequel to Star Trek will no doubt be among the top choices for moviegoers next summer."

"We are extremely proud to be continuing our successful partnership with Paramount Pictures, J.J., Bryan Burk, Bad Robot and the entire Star Trek team through this iconic franchise that has the perfect DNA for IMAX fans," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

The IMAX release of the Star Trek sequel will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom VIA -1.37% VIAB -2.91% , a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About IMAX Corporation IMAX Corporation is one of the world’s leading entertainment and technology companies, specializing in the creation and delivery of premium, awe-inspiring entertainment experiences. With a growing suite of cutting-edge motion picture and sound technologies, and a globally recognized entertainment brand, IMAX is singularly situated at the convergence of the entertainment industry, innovation and the digital media world. The industry’s top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and as such, the IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. The Company’s new digital projection and sound systems – combined with a growing blockbuster film slate – are fueling the rapid expansion of the IMAX network in established markets such as North America, Western Europe, and Japan, as well as emerging markets such as China and Russia. IMAX deliver the world’s best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX®, IMAX 3D®, and IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-Mastering) technologies. IMAX DMR enables virtually any motion picture to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. As of March 31, 2012, there were 643 IMAX theatres (510 commercial multiplex, 20 commercial destination and 113 institutional) in 52 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience® and The IMAX Experience® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com . You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/imax ), Twitter ( www.twitter.com/imax ) and YouTube ( www.youtube.com/imaxmovies ).

 

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interesting that this press release mentions Peter Weller and Alice Eve, but nothing about Benedict Cumberpatch.

I’m a little troubled by the fact that this film is in the can and in post-production yet a title has yet to be created. Just dive into a Shakespeare play and pull a title out of a line of dialog already!

I thought i would hate 3d…but Prometheus changed my mind…it was cool

This is going to be a long 11 months!! Oh, and first!!

or FOURTH!!!!! Yay!! Fourth!

Yes, where is the name of Benedict Cumberbatch?

Dammit, I was hoping for standard IMAX given this is going to be a 3D conversion. The awesome MI4 they reference was so awesome — but it was in standard IMAX. Sounds also like they are simply convert the source film to IMAX and that they did not use any IMAX projectors during filming?

I’m very disappointed. Count me out….this is basically a scam. I will be seeing Trek 2013 in 2D only.

@3. Prometheus was shot with 3D cameras, while Star Trek 2013 is/was not. Big difference!!!

@7 no, many scenes were shot using IMAX and 3D cameras. they are not up-sourcing.

@7. Correction, it sounds like some select scenes used IMAX cameras. I don’t think these were 3D IMAX cameras though, but maybe someone else knows?

@9. I don’t think the IMAX cameras are 3D IMAX cameras. It is my understanding that all 3D will be conversion, although, I expect that special effects scenes would be done in 3D source as they generate the 2D effects.

@7, I stand corrected. While they did shoot with IMAX cameras, they did not shoot with 3D cameras. However, as per the recent Lindelof interview on this site, they did secondary passes of almost every shot to better map the shots for 3D conversion. Basically, it sounds like a hybrid method in which they planned ahead to improve the quality of an inevitable 3D conversion.

From the interview: “And when you are doing this process, as opposed to a standard conversion, after every single set up – not just every scene but every angle – we had to do a 3D pass where you clear the set of the actors and the camera has to do the same moves so the guys doing the conversion can map accordingly and that will provide a much better 3D experience for the audience.” (https://trekmovie.com/2012/06/06/exclusive-lindelof-on-star-trek-sequels-character-focus-3d-process-team-already-talking-3rd-movie/)

@2 there’s probably a title but like everything else, we wont know it until the teaser is released.

Given they are taking so long to do post production for this, it is a shame that they couldn’t bite the full bullet and go full bore with either IMAX 3D cameras or the new 48FPS 3D cameras that The Hobbit is using.

Still sounds like a lot of compromising by me to try to have it both ways and keep costs down. I am still not sold on paying ticket prices for this in IMAX 3D. I’d be a lot more excited if they had done this like MI4 and went full-bore IMAX 2D.

I am a big enough Trek sucker that I probably will end up seeing this once in IMAX 3D, but I will going standard 2D on opening night.

I worked as an extra on this movie and those IMAX cameras are loud and need new film every 10 minutes. slow work!

1,6:

In the promo material they say: ” Returning to their posts on the Enterprise are…”

I think this just confirms that Alice Eve and Peter Weller are Starfleet officers, which I think we already knew. No mention of Cumberbatch because he apparently is not a Starfleet officer serving on the Enterprise (I still don’t believe he is Khan, or even one of Khan’s genetically engineered counterparts)

I read a post on a comic book site and the owner of that site thought Cumberbatch might be a Klingon/Human hybrid Starfleet Officer.

AP, please ask your “sources” (Bob) if the sequel will be released in standard IMAX as well.

2. Don’t believe it hasn’t been created. It just hasn’t been released yet.

When do we get to see the imax 3D film of the sun shining out of J.J. Abrams butt.

#15

Really? You did? You….lucky….b*stard….. ;-)

Make it big and beautiful, guys.

15. cr

Is Khan the villain? ; )

15. cr

Can you give us a hint on the movie? and yes, is Khan the villian?

cr won’t talk. He knows that Donvito Abrams will send his capo’s to “visit” anyone who dare to violate Trek omerta…

cr, I still hate your guts, you lucky b*stard ;-)

That leaked Spock-Sherlock scene is shot in IMAX right?! Damn!!!

Was Benedict fired or something. I think they forgot his name. HAHA.

Star Trek 2013 IMAX 3D willl still be a conversion from 2D. The best they can do is to create a cinematic pop up book. Link. It’s more like 2.5D than 3D. If you want to see an IMAX 3D movie that was converted, see Men In Black 3. It’s not bad but many of the live action scenes didn’t have pop. Look you can’t catch the light and shadow,, nooks and crannies that a 3D camera will do.

You want to see great 3D, watch Martin Scorsese’s Hugo or Wim Wenders’ dance documentary Pina. (2011) Prometheus looks good and the lighting was excellent because it was shot in 3D.

That being said, this site had an interview with Damon Lindelof. He indicated that Star Trek had 3D passes maded for it. They used the same camera angles without the actors. That obviously willl help the conversion. CGI scenes usually look good even in conversions. And Star Trek should have a lot since it takes place in space. I remember the best 3D scenes in the converted Thor (2011) were the CGI end credits of nebulas I’m guessing the virrtual camera used catches CGI images as well as live action native 3D.

Every 3D movie that I have seen on IMAX 3D was better than regular 3D. Those were on RealD projectors. I’ve seen Avatar, Tron: Legacy, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, and Men in Black 3 on IMAX 3D. The IMAX versions were better, I believe it’s the better resolution and fatter screen. IMAX also has better sound. Remember hearing every whisper from Simon Pegg in MI 4: Ghost Protocol. So if you’re going to shell out the dough for 3D, you might want to think IMAX first.

How do you convert 2D movies to 3D
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2010/01/how_do_you_convert_a_flat_movie_into_3d.html

#16. Yep … I guess too

by the way…

Chris Pine and Alex Kurtzman were in Dallas yesterday… and they talked a bit about “Big” things… but always just a bit… ;-) :-)

source: http://tinyurl.com/d3gk4z4

@15 At least tell us if the four-year wait is worth it! Come on, come on! And is Cumby really that good?

3d sucks

I am happy that it is at least going to be in IMAX. That is a great way to see Star Trek.

Shame to admit it, but I haven’t even seen the last one in IMAX.

What does it add to the experience exactly?

When is the rest of the world going to see People Like Us? This film is a Dreamworks production which is not a small indie production company. Having no release dates for a movie like this in countries like Canada, UK, Australasia etc just makes no sense.

This is what I would expect for a movie like Mantivities that Chris Pine hopes to produce and star in and that is because it is being made by a small fledgling production company with limited resources, but not with People Like Us.

Come on, already!

“People Like Us” is probably one of those movies that will have a limited release at select theatres, and in only a handful of cities and countries. PLU looks to be one of those flicks that are aimed at a smaller audience.

Why not mention Cumberbatch, hes so flippin hot right now. Im thrilled for imax.

I wonder if the special effects shots like the Enterprise in space, will be output to the full IMAX frame? It would be cool to see the ship on that big screen.

I saw Prometheus on Imax 3D this weekend and I think it’s the last time I’ll ever do that. The 3D was very unimpressive and I sit close enough that I don’t need an Imax screen anyway. Maybe my lack of excitement had to do with the fact I was disappointed by the movie, because I saw Hugo in 3D and thought it was great.

Either way, 3D just doesn’t add enough for me to be interested. I’ll take regular sized screens, thank you.

#35 – Why? These two guys have been going round the country promoting it as much as anything else has been promoted. The film has well-known actors like Michelle Pfeifer, Elizabeth Banks and Olivia Wilde as well as, of course, Chris Pine. There are at least two trailers out. Frankly, I don’t see that there is a lot of difference, except that it is not a shoot ’em up, bang, big explosions movie, but then neither was The Vow.

This site is not remembering my name/email anymore. Maybe this is for security reasons? Anthony?

All in all, I am sticking with 2D on opening night. If the 3D IMAX reviews are surprisingly good, then I see it on one of those screens on my 2nd or 3rd viewing. I saw Trek 2009 4 times during the original release, and then once again for that special one-day IMAX release last year. I can’t say the IMAX release of Trek 2009 was all that much better other than the better audio.

Again, although the Press Release makes it sound cool, let’s face it — they are “half-assing” the 3D. And to add insult to injury, what they are doing means we won’t even be able to see it on standard 2D IMAX — that, I would have paid for! Seeing a 3D converted movie on IMAX 3D, with many scenes also upscaled from 35MM film to IMAX (note: they only filmed certain scenes in IMAX) doesn’t sound to me like it is worth the extra ticket price.

There is a sucker born every minute, and he aint me. ;-)

@ 33

Christoper,

IMAX 3D offers better resolution that translates to a clearer picture. The big screen and resolution do a better job of 3D than a theater with a Real D projector. The 3D movie pops better, i.e. there’s better pushing out from the screen. I saw Avatar in regular 3D and I MAX 3D. IMAX was better. Oh, screen size is taller and fatter too.

Sound is better also. Saw MI 4: Ghost Protocol in IMAX and regular. Again, could hear every mumbled whisper that Simon Pegg spoke. Sound was crisp and clean.

Check out my post 28 for how they convert a 2D movie to 3D.

@42. Not if the 35MM film has to be upscaled to IMAX. If the source film is in IMAX,then yes.

In Trek 2013 IMAX 3D, you are going to be seeing many images that are both converted to 3D and also up scaled from 35mm film to IMAX. That is pretty lame.

@ 41

MJ,

Looking at all the 3D glasses around the house, I’ve must have seen over twenty 3D movies. Cannot recommend any conversion. Some are better than say “The Last Airbender.” (2010) , like Men in Black 3. Still they’re nothing special.

On the other hand, I love the 3D in Hugo (2011) and the dance documentary Pina. (2011) Both were shot in 3D. While watching Pina, I literally thought the dancers and props were in the theater next to me. The native 3D was that good.

I will try to see all three versions of Star Trek 2013. It better be good. ;-) I like movies and blogging about the ones that I see.

awesome news

I hope Tyler Perry’s back in it. Just watching him on an old Graham Norton and he’s on it. Not a lot of other roles for black men in Trek, arguably (yes, that Dr. Who guy’s in it, but that’s one guy out of, well, a big, big cast).

Saw prometheus again last night, this time in 2D, (I’d previously seen it in 3D at midnight on opening day). I disliked it a little less. And liked it more in 2D than 3D (In 3D, I took my glasses off for some scenes so it wasn’t so dim). I sought out 2D screenings for Avengers too — had no desire to see it in 3D.

I saw MI4 in Imax and didn’t really notice the difference (I’d first seen it in Berlin in a normal theater).

Hugo was neat, but I wonder if there would have been a movie there without the 3D.

Pina sounds neat — 3D actually makes sense for some documentaries…

@46. You kill me, Jack. Weren’t you just complaining about how awful Prometheus was a couple of days ago…yet, you go see it again? Huh?

#47.

I think he had a change of heart after reading our arguments. ;-)

I wanted to make sure I wasn’t just tired and cranky the first time. And, hey. I love you guys, so I thought, ‘if those guys like it, it can’t be that bad.’ And I was absolutely wrong — it was that bad.

Kidding!

Sort of.

This time (going in hating it) I had low expectations, to put it mildly (as a bonus, when I was standing in line to buy tickets, some guy walking out of it yelled out to everybody “If you’re going to Prometheus, save your money. It blows!” I’m pretty sure he wasn’t on of you guys.) .

It was okay. Still some eye-rolling lines. Maybe, the first time, I’d been expecting a 2-hour accelerated Masters degree in philosophy and, well, a few scenes with the guys in the same tiny bandage outfits as the ladies).

here’s an odd non sequitur — at the end, a girl in the audience said to her friends (“Okay, that totally wasn’t a prequel to Aliens because the first one takes place in the 1950s, on Earth. So that was really dumb! Hadn’t teh director even seen the movie?”

I have no idea what movie she was talking about.

#49.

Good, now you’re coming around. :-)

You also might want to catch the movie again on the director’s edition Blu Ray. I hear that it’s going to add twenty extra minutes worth of cut scenes back into the movie.