Dubai to play 'city of the future' for Star Trek's latest voyage

Space may be the final frontier for the voyages of the Star Trek Enterprise, but the journey to the outer realms has led the makers of this iconic franchise to Dubai's shores in its search for "the city of the future".

As 'Star Trek' sets off for its next schedule post Vancouver, producer Jeffrey Chernov spoke about his reason behind bringing the cast and crew to the emirate post his 'Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol' shoot, by simply saying: "We came searching for the future and found it in Dubai."

He continued: "The experience I had on 'MI4' gave me the insight into this vertical city. When we started on 'Star Trek', we did a lot of surfing around the world and the search ultimately led us to Dubai. 

"A lot of the exterior work will be done here, creating the city of the future that brings the frontier to this city."

Both, Chernov and actor/writer Simon Pegg, worked together on 'MI4' when Tom Cruise decided to take the plunge out of a window in Burj Khalifa and swing his way and the city into history books. 

Chris Pine, who dons the cap as Captain Kirk, appeared set for the next challenge as he readies to steer his ship through Dubai's concrete jungle, saying: "Dubai is such a stunning city. It is such a fitting location... when I look out of my bedroom window, I see the city of tomorrow."

Without further divulging in the locales that will find its way into the final cut of the movie, which is scheduled to release in July 2016, the filmmakers are also including 225 local artistes as background cast members of a strong 600, while local interns have also wound their way onto the sets in Vancouver.

Chernov added: "The intern programme is part of our commitment to facilitate the growth of the organic film industry here and create a new generation of filmmakers."

As 'Star Trek' sets off on its 50th anniversary voyage, actor Karl Urban - who confessed he was looking to exploring Dubai and learn about its culture, religion and politics - said he feels the pressure that fellow Trekkies demand of the franchise but refuses to let it get to him.

"I try not to concentrate on the fans," he confessed. "I don't want more pressure on a situation. As long as we are together as a group and we do it right, I know we will do justice to the roles that are put before us."

For Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock in the franchise reboot, the return to his on-screen persona is an emotional one following the recent death of 'Star Trek's' original Spock, Leonard Nimoy.

He stated: "We [Leonard Nimoy] were incredibly close; he was like a father to me and we grew very close over the past eight years. Knowing him has been a profound experience. 

"Coming back to the role without him has been difficult. He left such a profound impact on all of us. Of course, there is an undercurrent of emotion and I hope I can carry on the legacy."

British actor Idris Elba, who is the latest addition to the 'Star Trek' cast (and the master villain some would hint at, even though the actor refused to confirm or deny), is not a novice to Dubai, confessing that he will also be DJing here next week.

Talk about his latest avatar and returning to Dubai with the starry team in tow, he stated: "I have been with them last 3-4 months. The challenge or hard part is over. Coming to Dubai opens a very exciting time in front of me. I love to see how countries approach filmmaking. I have seen this from Jamaica, to South Africa, England and now Hollywood. Plus, we have real good writing to back this up."

Co-writer and actor Simon Pegg, who confessed he quit the writing gig a few times into the film, added the onus of the 50th anniversary made it crucial for him find a way to marry the traditional with the future to satisfy Trekkies fans, old and new. 

Quiz him if he could some day don the director's cap for 'Star Trek' and he stated: "During the filming in Vancouver, I went behind the camera a few times to see the shot Justin Lin had canned. And after seeing it, I can safely say I would never want to direct a movie of such magnitude ever."

Would a fourth film follow in the franchise after its 50th anniversary tribute next year?

Ask the makers and they are ready to continue ahead and boldly go where no man has gone before, with Chernov stating: "The future is very bright for this franchise. We are going into new territory with a new approach. Who knows where that could take us..."

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