Arguably THE most anticipated blockbuster of summer 2013 - with perhaps the exception of the Superman reboot Man of Steel Star Trek Into Darkness has nonetheless remained shrouded in secrecy during the duration of its promotional campaign. J.J. Abrams and his screenwriting team of Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci (Fringe) and Damon Lindelof (Prometheus) have been trying to save the biggest reveals for the actual theatrical viewing experience - which means media like today's gallery of high-res photos are all we get until that release date arrives.

As detailed in the Star Trek Into Darkness trailers, the sequel to Abrams' successful reboot of the franchise will explore the terrorist acts of one "John Harrison" (Benedict Cumberbatch), a Machiavellian schemer whom Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise vow to bring to justice.  However, all is not what it seems with Harrison, and before long, Kirk and Co. find them selves on a mission that will test their bond as a crew, and threaten their very lives.

Included in the gallery are your standard close-up photos of the various crew members of the Enterprise - Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), Bones (Karl Urban), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Sulu (John Cho), Scotty (Simon Pegg) and Chekov (Anton Yelchin) - along with new characters like Alive Eve as Dr. Carol Marcus, and of course, Cumberbatch as Harrison. While some of the photos are clearly taken from various action set pieces scattered throughout the film, the action sequences (save for the image of the Enterprise going down in flames) are not spoiled for forecasted by the images.

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There are a couple of nice teasers in the gallery:

  1. What is it that Bones is looking for while extracting a DNA sample from an imprisoned Harrison? Perhaps evidence of a genetically-engineered superhuman? (Hint, hint.)
  2. That MC-9321 in the shot with Carol Marcus, Kirk, Bones and Scotty - is it some variation of the classic "Project Genesis" device? (Hint, hint.)
  3. Is that photo of Spock in his Volcano suit taken mere moments after a death-defying transporter save (given the background and all the smoke)?
  4. Is that "red room" photo not totally in the vein of Star Trek TOS???

UPDATE: We now have a new Star Trek Into Darkness poster, featuring John Harrison standing over a smoldering city - which is a followup to  the initial teaser poster for the film. Check out the new and old poster both, below:

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Star Trek Into Darkness Posters (2013)

Star Trek Into Darkness Teaser and Theatrical Posters John Harrison

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It's been a nice change of pace to get excited for a movie whose biggest secrets and thrills we DON'T already know well in advanced. On the other hand, building up such anticipation can be something of a powder keg, if the movie doesn't deliver the level of excitement and surprise that audiences have stored up in their minds. And, if certain rumors about Into Darkness turn out to be true after all, it could be something of a disappointment for (many?) fans, who hoped for something newer and fresher. Or it could just be one a kick-ass thrill ride which helps make summer 2013 a memorable time at the movies.

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We'll find out which way it goes when Star Trek Into Darkness hits theaters on May 17, 2013 in 3D IMAX.

Source: Paramount