First reported by The Wrap and later confirmed via Deadline, Paramount has shifted the release date of Star Trek Beyond by only two weeks, realigning the sci-fi threequel to July 22, 2016.
Originally pegged for debut in early July, sources claim that the studio has pushed Beyond to a more advantageous spot so as to avoid a clash with David Yates’ Tarzan reboot, itself occupying a considerable amount of IMAX screens in the beginning of July. But the summer of 2016 is simply one big crowded corridor, with today’s new-fangled release date meaning that Paramount’s follow-up is sandwiched in between Sony’s much-touted Ghostbusters reboot and the next installment in the Bourne series – slated for July 15 and July 29, respectively.
Alas, it seems that Star Trek Beyond will miss the chance to open on the 50th anniversary of the legendary sci-fi franchise, which originally premiered back in 1966 – a time when William Shatner and the late, great Leonard Nimoy captained the Enterprise.
Fast and Furious alum Justin Lin is at the helm of the USS Enterprise for its latest adventure into the dark recesses of space, heralding the return of Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Simon Pegg. Idris Elba, Kingsman: The Secret Service’s Sofia Boutella and Joe Taslim are some of the newcomers for Star Trek Beyond, with all signs pointing to the former portraying the role of the film’s villain.
Behind the lens, Bad Robot’s alum J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are attached to produce, while Roberto Orci – whose script was originally pitched as the lead story – will also serve as producer.
Following today’s reshuffling, Star Trek Beyond will go boldly where no man has gone before on July 22, 2016.
