Paramount+ announced a release date for the highly-anticipated Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Director’s Edition.
The fully restored version of the classic sci-fi film will be available to stream on April 5, acting as a celebration of First Contact Day. The Director’s Edition was initially released in 2001 for DVD, but this rerelease marks the first time the beloved Star Trek film is available in 4K Ultra HD. This iteration will also support high dynamic range and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Fans looking to acquire a physical copy of Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Director’s Edition will need to wait until September to pick up the Blu-ray version.
The Director’s Edition of Star Trek: The Motion Picture has been in production for six months, helmed by producer David C. Fein and preservationist Mike Matessino. The pair assembled a crew of “special effects experts,” led by Daren Dochterman, who trawled through the archives of Paramount to faithfully recreate the film’s special effects in UHD.
“I couldn’t be prouder and more thrilled to have completed the film in 4K,” said Fein. “Paramount offered unprecedented access to the original elements and exceptional support and the results are stunning. Utilizing the latest discoveries and innovations of modern film production, The Director’s Edition delivers so much more today than was previously possible. It’s an adventure you’ll never forget!”
Originally released in 1979, Star Trek: The Motion Picture is based on the wildly popular sci-fi series, following Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) as he takes command of the newly-refitted USS Enterprise. The crew is pushed to thier limits as they attempt to repel a strange alien cloud known as V’Ger as it rapidly approaches Earth. While the movie originally debuted to mixed reviews from critics, many look back on The Motion Picture as a disappointing first entry in Star Trek‘s film series, with fans criticising it’s bloated, dialogue-heavy script which often tripped up some fun moments.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Director’s Edition isn’t the only intergalactic film Paramount is working on. The studio recently confirmed that another entry in its beloved modern Star Trek franchise had entered early development. Many stars of the previous films, such as Chris Pin and Zoe Saldana, have already confirmed that they will reprise their roles despite not even having seen a script.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Director’s Edition hits Paramount+ on April 5.
Source: Paramount
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