Click on image to see it a LOT bigger.
If there’s one thing J.J. Abrams has done a good job of, it’s shrouding the plot details of his STAR TREK sequel in mystery. So far no one seems to know or be talking openly about what exactly is going on, who the villain is, or what we can expect to take place. There’s been rumors that Khan is the baddie, then suspicions that Gary Mitchell might be the antagonist, but nobody knows for sure… yet. Well today we’re treated to the first teaser poster for STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, which like Abrams himself is rather cryptic. It definitely looks like a darker tone. What’s perhaps most interesting (from our perspective at least) is the city buildings in the background, which appear to be London. We do know Benedict Cumberbatch is supposed to play a villain in the film, and considering he’s very British, one can only wonder if London plays a role in the story. Is there a Starfleet outpost in the UK? Is that even supposed to be Cumberbatch in the image? I’m guessing so. The film stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alice Eve, Peter Weller, Bruce Greenwood, and Heather Langenkamp – the screenplay is by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof. Some have already pointed out how the poster is very reminscent of several other recent theatrical campaigns, including INCEPTION, BATTLESHIP, BATTLE L.A. and THE RAID REDEMPTION… let’s face it, Hollywood movie poster aren’t what they used to be, these days they’re all just following a formula. Check out the hi-res version above and tell us your thoughts in the comments. Outside of the amusing Conan O’Brien clip below, here’s all we know so far, which comes direct from the studio:
In Summer 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness. When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. 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.
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS opens May 17, 2013
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
One other small tidbit: the domain StarTrekMovie.com is up and running, with a Flash-animated version of the poster. Not a lot going on, just the occasional falling debris from the Starfleet logo-shaped hole. However, the credit block is available (click “Film Credits” at the bottom of the page). Cast is listed alphabetically, with Heather Langenkamp’s name missing (Peter Weller and Alice Eve are listed).
The plot seems more Gary Mitchell-y than Khan-y, but then who’s to say it has to be one or the other. The poster is reminiscent of TDKR (since “negative space” in the destruction has the logo), but I don’t necessarily see that as a bad thing. I hope it’s not TOO heavy, maybe they can strike a tone somewhere between TDKR and Avengers.
“Starfleet outpost in the UK”? Starfleet is the Federation’s military… It has “outposts” in every country on every Federation planet, it’s not solely confined to San Francisco.
Ctrl-Opt-Del – I didn’t think it was just confined to San Fran, but that fact London is pictured in the poster makes me wonder if there’s a particular story element that drives it there. Since no one knows much about the script, and with Benedict Cumberbatch being British, it’s an aspect worth noting.