Star Trek 2 Preview Planned For IMAX

Given the strong deflector shields that director/producer JJ Abrams has thrown up around Star Trek Into Darkness, nothing has been seen from the movie aside from some leaked set images and the jokey, blink-and-you-missed-it "footage reveal" he brought to Conan O'Brien's show (you can see that above). Now, to reward cinemagoers for their patience, Paramount is releasing nine minutes of the film in front of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey starting December 14 in the US. Now, before you ask the question, at the time of writing this report, there was no word on whether the studio would be doing the same for UK audiences. More news on that front as we get it. The plan for the US is for the footage to play on 500 IMAX 3D screens ahead of Peter Jackson's film. Star Trek Into Darkness features several sequences shot specifically in the IMAX format, much like The Dark Knight Rises. It was also post-converted into 3D. "Our longtime partners JJ Abrams, Bryan Burk and the Bad Robot team have really hit it out of the park – the footage is absolutely incredible," says Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment in a statement. "Their use of the IMAX Camera and canvas is sure to impress current and future Star Trek fans alike, and we're thrilled to once again work with our friends at Paramount Pictures to offer this extended first look at this highly anticipated summer blockbuster." With the film itself targeting a May 17 release next year, we figure that the trailer will also arrive around the same time. Keep it locked here for more news on whether British audiences will get to see the footage preview. Meanwhile, our LA office will be trying to hit JJ Abrams with a mind meld to see if we can ferret out the info. Our mind to his mind...