While it marked the first time a film has been screened outdoors on an IMAX and the first time a premiere was accompanied by a ninety-piece orchestra, the event was missing one person in particular: Anton Yelchin.
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Abrams, who directed the first two films of the rebooted franchise, and cast members wore black Star Trek pins on their lapels to honor 27-year-old Yelchin, who died when his auto accidentally rolled backward and pinned him against a fence.
The film’s team was present at the San Diego Comic-Con and after it took to the stage, Abrams said “something was missing”, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Actors Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, Simon Pegg, Idris Elba, John Cho, and Sofia Boutella, and producers Lindsey Weber and J.J. Abrams speak onstage at the world premiere of the Paramount Pictures title ìStar Trek Beyondî at Embarcadero Marina Park South on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California.
The film arrives as Trekkies celebrate 50 years of “Star Trek”, which started out as a TV show, has enjoyed several incarnations prior to JJ Abrams’ 2009 reboot and shows no sign of slowing down. Producers have added a tribute to Anton Yelchin too, after director Justin Lin told Empire magazine recently, “We all miss him”.
“Anton Yelchin should be here”, he continued.
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Anton’s parents – Irina and Victor – were also present at the event. To celebrate Anton and mourn his loss, the cast and audience held a moment of silence. “I would say there’s no replacing him”, Abrams said in an interview with the Toronto Sun. A few words were said for the late Leonard Nimoy who also passed away earlier this year. “We all carry him with us in our heart, tonight”, he said.
