Futuristic Dubai shoots into outer space with 'Star Trek Beyond'

As the camera panned across Starbase Yorktown, there were audible gasps heard across the cinema, followed by a resounding and thunderous applause.

Futuristic Dubai had finally arrived in ‘Star Trek Beyond’, nestled in a visual treat amidst glistening steel and glass monoliths.

This was Hollywood at its best, wielding its creative brush as it recreated the emirate into a gravity-bending Nolan-esque world of ‘Inception’, albeit at the very edge of Federation space.

‘Star Trek Beyond’ releases across UAE cinemas on Thursday and in several global markets the following day. For Dubai, the spotlight stays firmly in place, as it steals the thunder from Hollywood biggies Chris Pine and Simon Pegg, even as they race across nebulas and planets to save Yorktown from total annihilation.

The third installment in the money-spinning sci-fi franchise has been extensively filmed across Dubai, with landmarks such as DIFC’s Central Park Towers, the Meydan Racecourse, and parts of Sheikh Zayed Road clearly visible in a futuristic vision of its creators.

Back in October, during the film’s press conference in Dubai, executive producer Jeffery Chernov had famously stated: “We came searching for the future and we found it in Dubai.”

A look at the visual spectacle that unfolds on screen, you can understand his premonition.

On Tuesday, the Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) and Dubai Studio City (DSC) hosted a premiere event for ‘Star Trek Beyond’, which will see residents delighting as they recognise the emirate’s iconic locations in key futuristic scenes including: Burj Al Arab, Al Mas Tower in Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the Sound Stages in Dubai Studio City.

Held at Novo Cinemas in Ibn Battuta Mall, the setting for the evening was transformed into an immersive Trekkie universe, adorned with the franchise’s signature colors, blue and white.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by hostesses dressed in uniforms as crew members of the Starfleet organisation. Guests were then taken through a dramatic arch entrance, which was made to resemble the bridge of the Enterprise, where a blue carpet led them to the premiere reception.

The lounge area held activations for guests to enjoy, such as the futuristically themed snack bar, as well as exclusive Star Trek memorabilia and unique collectibles from previous films and TV series.

Look-a-like characters such as Captain Kirk, Spock, as well as new characters Jaylah and Krall, were part of the attendees entertaining the guests.

Original props from Star Trek Beyond were also on display, including a torpedo, the Captain’s chair, and a replica of the teleporter.

Marking the 50th anniversary salute to the series, the film was preceded with a loving tribute to the legendary Leonard Nimoy who played Spock on the TV series, along with 27-year-old Anton Yelchin who died earlier this year in a freak accident.

In a statement, Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of DFTC and Managing Director of Dubai Studio City said: “It is a great achievement and success for us to see Dubai rising in the awaited ’Star Trek Beyond’.

“The journey from last year’s scouting to shooting in Dubai and up until last night’s premiere has been really incredible for us, and was a testament for Dubai’s capability in supporting large scale international productions. We are very proud with the results and very pleased that Dubai has witnessed a stunning premiere of one of the highly anticipated Hollywood films of the year.

He continued: “We are confident that ‘Star Trek Beyond’ will further boost Dubai and UAE’s global profile in the film, tourism and entertainment industries.”

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