Why the 'Star Trek Beyond' Cast Thinks the Series Is More Relevant Than Ever

2016 has been a year filled with turmoil and heightened tension. Star Trek Beyond hopes to give people some escapism and perhaps even a little hope that our future will be better than our present.

“This is a universe which is full of hope because it suggests that we live on past our petty grievances and the idiotic squabbles that we find ourselves amid today and actually start working together for the greater good, as it were,” star and writer Simon Pegg said. “This is a film about collectivism as good thing. This film is about being better together. Not separatism and pulling apart.”

“Star Trek has always been, at its core, an optimistic and, I think, very uplifting and positive thing,” producer J.J. Abrams told Yahoo Movies. “So I love that it’s on the one hand a science-fiction story, [and] on the other hand, it’s a story about humanity. It’s a story about friendship, family, [and] loyalty. … Anyone who sees this can feel like, ‘I may be ‘other’ where I am, but in this world, I’d be accepted as part of this group.’”

“I think that’s why it’s lasted for 50 years,” added star John Cho. “There’s something about Star Trek that appeals to our better natures and asks us to focus on our similarities more than our differences.”

“It’s always been very progressive, it’s always been built on a foundation of inclusivity and unity and strength in those qualities,” said star Zachary Quinto. “I think this movie is directly in line with that. So as we’re celebrating its origins, we’re moving it forward and utilizing the advancements in technology for these incredible action sequences and visual effects, but really honoring the underpinnings, which are the relationships and sense of togetherness that is really, I think, the hallmark of Star Trek and what sets it apart.”

Simon Pegg on Having the Borg as the Next Star Trek Villain:

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