On the significance of the word darkness in the film's title. Burk: I think [the film] is a continuation. It's not a sequel just for the sake of doing a sequel. We really decided that if we are going to do it, how do we make it different and really step up our game. It's part of the evolution of the title. The film is not a dark film per se. It's not post-apocalyptic dark – it's still within the realm of what Roddenberry had wanted, which is this positive view of the future. However the stakes are significantly greater, and personal. The characters – particularly Kirk – are going to a much darker place emotionally. I feel like the experience the audience has going through it will be a much deeper emotional experience. And on top of that the spectacle will be significantly bigger than the last film.
On the tendency of sequels to be darker than their predecessor. Burk: I didn't say it wasn't dark in content. Visually it's not dark. Everyone keeps talking about darkness, but in my mind that's something that's visually dark or post-apocalyptic. That's not what this is. But emotionally it is. It goes to a place where it's a heavier film, a bit like all of our favorite sequels. Be it The Empire Strikes Back, which is a darker film emotionally than Star Wars. And Godfather 2 is significantly darker. I'm referencing the best movies ever made here, but the idea of making it weightier and heavier – that's the stuff we love. Our intention going forward was not to make a fluffy sequel. It was to take a real step deeper with these characters.
Bryan Burk is a co-founder of Bad Robot and has collaborated with Abrams on Alias, Lost, Fringe, Star Trek, Super 8 and more. So where the first Star Trek film was a plot driven piece, it appears that the sequel will look to the individual crew of The Enterprise. This doesn't necessarily mean we won't be heading into deep space for a Mass Effect-like grand adventure.
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With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
Running Time: Unknown
Release Date: May 17 2013 (USA)
MPAA Rating: Unknown
Starring: Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zachary Quinto John Cho, Peter Weller, Karl Urban and Chris Pine
Directed by: JJ Abrams
Written by: Alex Kurtzman (screenplay), Damon Lindelof (screenplay),Roberto Orci (screenplay), Gene Roddenberry (tv series "Star Trek")
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