As 2015 comes to a close, we look back on the biggest news stories related to Star Trek of the past year. The year was marked with many highs and several lows. Our losses included the passing of The Original Series actors Leonard Nimoy and Grace Lee Whitney, producer Harve Bennett, composer James Horner, and more. We also saw the franchise push forward with the announcement of a new television series, the filming of a third installment of the rebooted film franchise, and the celebration of 49 years.
In 2016, we look onward as we begin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the franchise with a new feature film, a five-day celebration in Las Vegas and the formulation of 2017’s Star Trek television series on CBS All Access.
Join us as we reflect back on the year that was 2015.
Leonard Nimoy Dies At 83
Leonard Nimoy, who has touched the lives of millions with his portrayal of Spock on three television seasons and six Star Trek feature films, died on Friday morning at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was 83.
New STAR TREK TV Series Premieres January 2017
According to multiple sources, Alex Kurtzman is developing the latest installment of “Star Trek” specifically for CBS All Access subscribers. Kurtzman, who co-wrote and produced “Star Trek” (2009) and “Star Trek Into Darkness,” will serve as executive producer for the show. CBS All Access is a cross-platform over-the-top streaming service with content from CBS’s current and past series, along with live TV for $5.99 per month.
WATCH: First Official STAR TREK BEYOND Trailer
Paramount has unveiled the first official trailer for Star Trek Beyond.
Originally planned to be shown prior to showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in theaters later this week, Paramount released the trailer a few days early, after a German version leaked on Monday morning.
‘Star Trek Beyond’ Wraps Filming
That’s a wrap!
“Star Trek Beyond” officially completed filming on Thursday in Dubai.
Director Justin Lin will now begin a lengthy post-production process for the film, scheduled to hit theaters on July 22, 2016.
Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols To Fly NASA SOFIA Mission
Nichelle Nichols, who played the original Uhura on Star Trek, is set to be part of an upcoming NASA mission. As hinted at during her first Reddit AMA, the 82-year-old actress who suffered a minor stroke three months ago, will be “among the first non-essential personnel to experience NASA’s newest telescope: SOFIA.”
Director Justin Lin Reveals First Image From STAR TREK BEYOND
Justin Lin, the director of the third installment in the rebooted Star Trek franchise, tweeted a behind-the-scenes photo of the Starfleet insignia on Tuesday.
STAR TREK BEYOND Filming Has Begun
Filming of the third installment of the rebooted Star Trek film franchise has begun. Both Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana have shared photos on the set of STAR TREK BEYOND.
“Someone is preparing to emerge,” Quinto captioned the photo of himself as Spock. Meanwhile, Saldana wrote: “Trailer time #StarTrek.”
James Horner, ‘Wrath of Khan’ Composer, Dies in Plane Crash
Composer James Horner, who scored Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, died on Monday in a plane crash in California. He was 61.
Grace Lee Whitney, Star Trek’s Yeoman Rand, Dies At 85
The family of Grace Lee Whitney, who played Yeoman Janice Rand on Star Trek, has confirmed the actress died over the weekend at the age of 85 in Coarsegold, California
Whitney, a recovering alcoholic, has spent the last 35 years helping others with addiction problems. Her family credits her with having helped thousands of people successfully complete 12-step addiction programs.
Star Trek Producer Harve Bennett Dies At 84
Harve Bennett, the producer of four Star Trek feature films, died Wednesday in Oregon at the ago of 84.
“He was a remarkable man and he was unpretentious and self-effacing. I don’t think there would be a Star Trek franchise without him. He rescued it. He’s endangered of being lost in the shuffle, but he’s the guy who figured it out,” said Star Trek director Nicholas Meyer, who worked with Bennett on The Wrath Of Khan and The Voyage Home.
‘Star Trek’ Celebrates 49 Years
49 years ago today, “Star Trek” premiered on NBC with its first episode “The Man Trap” at 8:30PM on September 8, 1966. Following two pilot episodes, the series — created by Gene Roddenberry — would go on to run for three seasons, spur thirteen feature films and change the face of television forever. The show’s stars: William Shatner as Captain Kirk, Leonard Nimoy as Spock, DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy, James Doohan as Scotty, George Takei as Hikaru Sulu and Nichelle Nichols as Uhura have become household names.
Stay tuned to TrekNews.net for all the news related to the Star Trek franchise throughout 2016.
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