Cool new South Korean Star Trek Beyond posters

Star Trek Beyond might be out in some parts of the world, but plenty of countries are still waiting, with releases in August for many in Europe and Asian, most of South America having to wait until September, and poor old Japan not getting it until October! Which means months of continued marketing for the movie still to come!

I wouldn't expect much more than localised versions of the posters and trailers we've already seen in most cases. But in South Korea, where the film is out in a couple of weeks, they have decided to do their own thing, and released two brand new posters with a totally different look to all the others so far. This first one shows off Starbase Yorktown in all it's gravitational bending glory:

Super cute Pin Mates bridge playset

At the San Diego Comic Con the Entertainment Earth booth had plenty of Star Trek stuff on display, including one of the most charming and adorable Trek toys in an age: The delightful Pin Mates bridge playset. Designed for play and display with the tiny wooden peg renditions of the TOS crew recently released by Bif Bang Pow, the playset appears to come with three extra Pin Mates, which add Nurse Chapel to the crew, alongside a wrap-uniform variant of Captain Kirk, and Spock equipped with a painted on tricorder.

The Entire bridge has been recreated, with the front portion removable so you can look into the bridge from the front as well as above. In the Comic Con display the two sections were stacked on top of each other.

Mezco expands its Star Trek action figure range with tribbles, chairs, and more

At the recent San Diego Comic Con, Mezco announced some new Star Trek additions to their One:12 Collective range of highly detailed 1/12th scale action figures. Continue below for a look at the new figures, and the latest on the rest of the range.

The newly announced figures include a Trouble with Tribbles variant of Captain Kirk, in his wrap-style uniform, which of course comes with lots of tribbles!

Star Trek comics round-up: Green Lantern crossover continues, Captain Data, Gold Key, covers, and more

Lots of Star Trek comics news below, including the return of Captain Data, preview art and covers from several series, and IDW updates from the San Diego Comic Con.

First up, a new crossover series! Last year's really rather good Kelvin timeline/Green Lantern crossover series, The Spectrum War, ended quite surprisingly with the Green Lantern characters apparently having settled in the Star Trek universe. A sequel series due to start later this year promises to pick up where the previous tale left off:

Captain Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise will once again cross paths with the Green Lantern Corps in a sequel to last year’s Star Trek/Green Lantern series. The creative team of Mike Johnson and Angel Hernandez will reteam for another epic space opera, this one picking up the new status quo where it left off and introducing additional cosmic heroes and villains familiar to fans of both series. 

Mega Bloks Star Trek displays and sets at Comic Con

Mattel's Mega Bloks put on a show at the San Diego Comic Con over the weekend, and while they don't appear to have displayed any of their excellent TOS ships and playsets, they did have a bit of Trek going on in their booth, which focused entirely on their Kubros range of stylised figures. Indeed a giant version of the Kubros Spock was one of their centrepieces:

QMx's USS Franklin, huge action figure range, and 50th anniversary goodies

Lots of news from QMx today, including their latest ship model, the USS Franklin, a huge range of action figures from TOS, TNG, and nuTrek, and all sorts of 50th anniversary memorabilia. Continue below to check it all out.

QMx have several different lines of starship models, ranging from the forthcoming smaller sized Mini Masters range, through to huge and highly detailed artisan replicas, and a few models in between. The latest addition to that offering, revealed with the display of a prototype at the San Diego Comic Con, is a replica of the USS Franklin. This appears to have much of the detailing and light features of the artisan replica range, but at a smaller scale than most of the ships released previously. (Images below via Toy Ark and Tomopop):

The untold stories from TOS production coming in The Roddenberry Vault bluray

While this weekend had a lot of big happenings for the present and future of Star Trek, it also brought huge news from the very beginnings. Announced at the San Diego Comic Con, was the forthcoming release of Star Trek: The Original Series - The Roddenberry Vault, a new bluray featuring documentaries built around a treasure prove of never before seen behinds the scenes footage from the production of The Original Series.

The project, nine years in the making (!), started when Gene Roddenberry's son Rod Roddenberry found a stash of film from the production of the series; clips taken from the cutting room floor, which include deleted scenes, bloopers, and all sorts of insights into the production of the series.

It took several years just to organise the random snippets of film, and matching it up with audio stored in other cans. Once ready, Star Trek experts Mike and Denise Okuda could scrutinise the findings, and now with film maker Roger Lay Jr. (who produced many of the excellent documentaries on the TNG and Enterprise blurays) have created new documentaries telling the story of Star Trek's production through this new footage.

CBS and Roddenberry Entertainment's press release details what will be on the discs:

Moebius Models to make Kelvin timeline model kits

At the San Diego Comic Con over the weekend, the Moebius Models booth included a display announcing they will releasing starship model kits of designs from the Kelvin timeline. Due to start in 2017, a poster on display promises the range will include the Star Trek Beyond version of the USS Enterprise, the USS Franklin, USS Kelvin, and Jellyfish. The display also had a fully built and finished original configuration Kelvin timeline USS Enterprise, and notes of plans for a lighting kit to accompany the release.

New TV series is Star Trek: Discovery

At a panel at the San Diego Comic Con today the title and starring ship of the new Star Trek TV series was announced. Coming in 2017 will be Star Trek: Discovery, featuring the USS Discovery NCC-1031.

And one other huge thing revealed in a press conference after the panel, the series will be set in the prime timeline (as tweeted by Larry Nemecek).

Continue below to check out the teaser trailer introducing the ship (and stills there after), as well as other news from the series.

USS Franklin model coming as Star Trek Beyond home video bonus

Not wasting any time, the home video pre-orders are going live for Star Trek Beyond. As ever many retailers will have exclusive offers with different covers and extra goodies. And top of the line once more appears to be Amazon, who are offering a model of the USS Franklin (looks like a QMx job to me, same base as their forthcoming Mini Masters range).

Details are still early and I imagine the covers and details will change before release for most of what is below (such as that weird pentagram on the Franklin's base, or the blue nacelle caps), but so far listings suggest the US USS Franklin release will come with the 4K Ultra HD release of the film (which includes bluray and 3D bluray discs too), while the UK counterpart will come with the bluray. Current artwork for both uses the dominant poster in each market:

Star Trek Beyond review

I love all of Star Trek, including wholeheartedly both of the previous Kelvin timeline movies. Like every iteration of Star Trek ever they have their bumpy elements, but like all Star Trek before I am more than willing smooth over those cracks and enjoy the bright shiny vision of our future they show us. So I always approach new Trek with an open mind, looking forward to the things I can enjoy, the beautiful things, the thoughtful things, and the things I will hope too see more of in novels and comics to come. Well Star Trek Beyond has more of those things than is reasonable for a two hour film. I left the cinema grinning in sheer joy at what I had experienced.

I've split this review into five sections, covering the major things I took away from the film. The first two sections are pretty spoiler free (you'd get more from some of the trailers), the rest I spill a few beans, so proceed with caution from section three onwards.

Star Trek Beyond round-up: Making-of book and other behind the scenes stuff, soundtrack preview, singing and dancing, posters, tribbles, and more!

Star Trek Beyond is hitting big screens around the world, and the publicity whirlwind just keep spining. Continue below for a round-up of some of the latest, plus a few odds and ends I've not covered yet. Including a new behind the scenes book, Kirk featurette, special effects, representation, dancing and singing stars, posters turning up everywhere, and tribbles in the wild!

First up, recent solicitations have confirmed that the ambiguously titled forthcoming book from Titan Comics, Star Trek Beyond Collector's Edition, is indeed a behind the scenes book. As the solicitation blurb describes:

Go behind the scenes of Star Trek Beyond, the latest chapter in the billion dollar movie franchise, in this jam-packed collection celebrating Star Trek's 13th big screen outing and revealing the details behind the making of the movie! Presenting in-depth interviews with the entire cast and crew, including producer J. J. Abrams, director Justin Lin, regular cast Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban, and guest star Idris Elba. Plus, discover the technical secrets of the film, from stunts and special effects to costumes and make-up! This is a must for Trekkers everywhere! Available in Hardcover and Softcover editions.

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr.

Covers have been released (may not be final), with the hardcover edition using the US poster, and the softcover using the international poster:

RockLove's 50th anniversary Star Trek jewellery

RockLove have announced a new wave of Star Trek jewellery releases to celebrate the 50th anniversary. The new range includes designs based on Starfleet deltas and Vulcan icons. Continue below to check them out.

Perhaps the most eye-catching of the new collection are the silver pendant necklaces with colour enamel, one for each of the departments, command, science, and operations.

Icon Heroes Star Trek paperweight statues

At the San Diego Comic Con this weekend Icon Heroes will be offering exclusive mirror universe Kirk and Spock paperweight statues, counterparts to the regular versions of both characters due out later this year. Continue below for a closer look at all four.

The mirror universe paperweights are a limited edition of one thousand of each character. They are made from polystone, and stand a little over eight inches tall.

Latest Star Trek Beyond clips, trailers, and featurettes!

Star Trek Beyond is already starting to hit screens around the world, but for those still not convinced, and indeed just to build anticipation for those with their tickets already booked, Paramount have released another wave of promotion videos. Continue below to check them out.

First up, the latest clip from the film expands upon what was surely the highlight of the first trailer, the delightful "Well that's just typical" from Doctor McCoy as Spock unexpectedly leaves his side:

Star Trek Beyond opening weekend posters

Paramount have revealed (via Collider and /Film) three new Star Trek Beyond poster designs, produced in conjunction with Gallery 1988, which will be given away at a variety of cinema chains over the opening weekend, with a total of eight different variants to be found!

Matt Taylor designed the Spock in action poster which will be offered at IMAX screenings in the Cinemark chain.

More teases from the Star Trek Beyond soundtrack

Latest today one of Star Trek Beyond's premiere screenings, held at the San Diego Comic Con, will come with a twist - The soundtrack will be performed live by an orchestra, and choir!

The composer, Michael Giacchino has been sitting in on the rehearsals over the last couple of days, and posted a bunch of snippets on his Instagram, teasing us at some beautiful new music to come from the Star Trek Beyond soundtrack. Continue below to have a listen.

First up, my favourite of the samples, a beautiful and quiet piano version of one of the main nuTrek themes:

@sandiegosymphony rehearsing for Star Trek Beyond Live to Picture Premiere at Comic Con! @startrekmovie

A video posted by Michael Giacchino (@m_giacchino) on Jul 19, 2016 at 10:21am PDT

Star Trek colouring books

Dark Horse have recently announced a new line of adult colouring books, including titles based on various popular series, such as Serenity and Buffy, and of course, Star Trek.

In fact two Star Trek books are set for publication in November, a TOS one, and TNG one. Each book has forty-five square pages of artwork, by various artists. Here are the covers:

Pre-order: Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr.

Star Trek to Boldly Go as the nuTrek adventures continue at IDW

After the end of the nuTrek ongoing series with the final issue in August, and the first month with no nuTrek comics in half a decade in September, IDW will be returning to the Kelvin timeline in October to pick up the pieces after Star Trek Beyond, with the launch of a new series Boldly Go.

Both writer Mike Johnson and artist Tony Shasteen will be returning, with the promise of a different feel to the series, more focused on ongoing story arcs, and less episodic. Here's the blurb for issue one:

Star Trek's 50th Anniversary Celebration continues with this all-new series following the adventures of Captain Kirk and the iconic crew! New worlds! New species! New ships! And a new danger unlike anything the Federation has encountered before! Boldly go into a new era of Star Trek!

And here's the lovely cover by George Caltsoudas:

Continue below for more details, and preview pages. Possible spoilers for the general outcome of Star Trek Beyond.

Daddy Kirk to return for Star Trek 4

Paramount must be feeling confident about Star Trek Beyond, as they have today announced the Kelvin timeline will continue in Star Trek 4 (actual title still to come), with a surprise returning star. Joining the rest of the crew will be Chris Hemsworth, aka George Kirk, who we last saw blowing himself up to cripple the Narada and allow the rest of the crew of the USS Kelvin (including his son and wife, James and Winona) to survive.

If Kirk manages to overcome the shadow of his farther in Star Trek Beyond, this could certainly throw a spanner in his emotional works!

Here's Paramount's brief press release:

Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Bad Robot today announced that the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise will return to the big screen for another voyage.

In the next installment of the epic space adventure, Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk will cross paths with a man he never had a chance to meet, but whose legacy has haunted him since the day he was born: his father.

Chris Hemsworth, who appeared in 2009’s “STAR TREK,” will return to the space saga as George Kirk to star alongside Pine.

The remaining cast is expected to return.

J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay will write the screenplay. J.J. Abrams and Lindsey Weber will produce through Bad Robot Productions. David Ellison and Dana Goldberg of Skydance will executive produce.

New Star Trek TV series coming to Netflix almost everywhere in the world

The new Star Trek TV series will be available to watch via the streaming service Netflix in almost every country on the planet, and within 24 hours of the US release!

Netflix announced today they have secured international distribution rights to the series, which will through them will be available in 188 countries - Those not covered by the Netflix deal are the US and Canada, and the handful of countries Netflix is not available in for political reason (China, Syria, North Korea, and Crimea).

Here's how Netflix announced the news in a press release:

Netflix and CBS Studios International today announced a landmark international licensing agreement for the new “Star Trek” television series. Netflix will be the exclusive premiere home of “Star Trek” in 188 countries (excluding the US and Canada). Each episode of the new series will be available globally within 24 hours of its U.S. premiere.

Additionally, all 727 existing episodes of the iconic “Star Trek” television library – including “Star Trek: The Original Series,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: Voyager” and “Star Trek: Enterprise” will be available on Netflix around the world by the end of 2016.

The all-new “Star Trek” will begin production in Toronto in September for its January 2017 premiere. The iconic and influential global franchise will return to television for the first time since 2005 with a new ship, new characters and new missions, while embracing the same ideology and hope for the future that inspired a generation.

“The launch of the new ‘Star Trek’ will truly be a global television event,” said Armando Nuñez, President and CEO, CBS Studios International. “‘Star Trek’ is already a worldwide phenomenon and this international partnership will provide fans around the world, who have been craving a new series for more than a decade, the opportunity to see every episode virtually at the same time as viewers in the U.S. Thanks to our world-class partners at Netflix, the new ‘Star Trek’ will definitely be ‘hailing on all frequencies’ throughout the planet.”

“‘Star Trek’ is one of the most iconic shows in television history and we’re thrilled to partner with CBS to bring the beloved series to Trekkies around the world,” said Sean Carey, Vice President of Global Television at Netflix. “The newest chapter of the story promises to continue the rich tradition of adventure and is sure to excite fans everywhere Netflix is available.”

Air Hogs USS Enterprise-A quadcopter hits the skies

The new Air Hogs remote controlled USS Enterprise-A quadcopter from Spin Master is available now. The rather ingeniously designed model uses a hollowed out version of the saucer section to house the propellers inside. It also feature light and sound functions. Continue after the jump for more images and a video of it in action.

Massive spoilers in latest Star Trek Beyond trailer

Paramount have released a new trailer for Star Trek Beyond which centers on a HUGE spoiler. So be warned, do not continue to read this post if you do not want to know an awful lot more about the character of Krall than has previously been released.

The video is behind the jump, here's a cool new image of Starbase Yorktown's defence turrets to enjoy, even if you go no further:

Star Trek Beyond merchandise starting to arrive

Things seem a bit thin on the ground merchandise wise for Star Trek Beyond, with quite limited offers of toys and books. There is some stuff starting to appear though, if you'd happy with a branded cup or T-shirt! Continue below for a look at some of the latest things to show up; be it weird, wonderful, or mundane!

Cinemas around the world are starting to stock up on Star Trek stuff, including the first model ships from the film! Available as cup toppers are a range of three small models of the new look USS Enterprise, the USS Franklin, and one of the swarm ships.

Star Trek Beyond behind the scenes footage and interviews

Paramount have released a looooad of video footage related to Star Trek Beyond, all ready to be chopped up and used in media reports on the imminently released film. But of course thanks to the internets us die-hard types can just watch the whole lot!

This first video is B-roll footage, giving us a variety of shots of sets, actors on and off camera, new alien make-up and more.

Latest Star Trek watches

Does time travel give you a headache? Well perhaps you need a timepieces to try and keep your timelines straight. Continue below to check out the latest Star Trek watches to help you out.

The first Star Trek watch from new Star Trek licensee Accutime is expected to ship in October. The antique gold style pocket watch features a Starfleet delta cut out on its case, which pops open to reveal a face featuring the saucer section of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701.

New 2017 Star Trek calendar previews

New covers and preview pages from several of the 2017 Star Trek calendars have been released. Continue below to check out the art, Star Trek Beyond, and TOS calendars.

Due out in August from Universe Publishing, the 50 Artists, 50 Years calendar features a selection of images from the touring 50th anniversary art exhibition of the same name. The calendar is formatted to allow the artwork to be easily removed from calendar once you're done using its practical functions, allowing each month's image to be used as a poster.

The newly revealed backcover gives us the full contents of the calendar, including several pieces from the exhibition which have not previously been previewed. I love the creepy First Contact image!

Another Star Trek Beyond clip, and Barco Escape trailer

Paramount have released another clip from Star Trek Beyond, this time showing us the Enterprise's arrival at the planet (which Empire magazine recently revealed is called Altamid) and the first contact with the swarm, which looks really cool in its initial form. Check it out:



A trailer has also been released for the Barco Escape version of the film, which will include extra widescreen sections, with projections on three screens around the audience. The trailer gives us an idea of what this looks like in the swarm attack, and it looks pretty amazing!

Latest Star Trek/The Big Bang Theory crossover toys

The Big Bang Theory characters are donning their Starfleet uniforms once more, for two new sets of Star Trek themed toys. Continue below for all the details.

Bif Bang Pow's latest offering is a series of 3.75 inch tall action figures, giving us all the main Big Bang Theory characters in TOS uniforms.

New Visions: The Cage preview

Out this week is a special issue in John Byrne's New Visions photo-comic series, an adaption of the Star Trek pilot episode, The Cage.

If you've been following the New Visions series, this is quite an interesting issue to look at in regards to how Byrne constructs the page. Of course when he is tells us new stories Byrne has to construct the images from the stills to create the new story he wants to tell. But here you can directly contrast the differences between the shots on screen, and how Byrne has reconfigured them to work as a comic.

Continue below for a five page preview from the issue:

Star Trek Beyond featurettes, trailers, and stills!

Star Trek Beyond is just a week away from its earliest releases around the world, and so of course Paramount are very busy making sure people know about it. Continue below for a look at several new behind the scenes featurettes that have been released, yet more trailers, and loads of stills. But first, the second clip to be released, gives us the moment Scotty and Jaylah meet:



Jaylah is also the subject of one of the new featuettes recently released. Once you've enjoyed learning about Jaylah, give this another watch with an ear focused on the music; sounds like another great soundtrack on the way from the clips of themes used here:

Connection part 1 preview

Out this week is the penultimate issue of IDW's Kelvin timeline ongoing comic series, and the first half of the two part story, Connection (renamed since being solicited as Altered Encounters). The pleasingly formatted book highlights the similarities and differences of the nuTrek and TOS worlds, in a story that draws both realities together. Continue below for a five page preview, after checking out all the covers.

The book, written as ever by Mike Johnson, and with art by Tony Shasteen, is available in four different covers. The main cover, featuring the TOS crew and their Enterprise, is by Tony Shasteen, and forms a diptych with the parallel version of the same image on the cover of the next issue. The subscription cover, by Josh Adams with color by Adam Guzowski shows the Kelvin timeline crew looking adventurous. A third cover is part of IDW's themed variant of the month, a crossover with ROM the Space Knight (who appears across numerous IDW titles' covers this month). The final cover, again featuring TOS characters, is also be Tony Shasteen, and is exclusive to the Supply Pod subscription box.

Latest Star Trek Beyond posters

With barely a week to go until the release of Star Trek Beyond the marketing machine is at full throttle, including a steady stream of new poster designs and variants. Continue below for a look at all the latest:

Released by Imax is a special Star Trek Beyond Imax poster, and variation on the soaring through the clouds look the main poster.

Latest previews from 50 Artists 50 Years art exhibition

As part of the 50th anniversary, CBS have created a Star Trek art exhibition, 50 Artists, 50 Years, which features a wide variety of artists and mediums all celebrating every facet of Star Trek. The exhibition will open first at the San Diego Comic Con, before going on to tour the world. Many of the pieces remain a mystery, but CBS are gradually adding new listings to their website, and more artwork keeps appearing on Star Trek merchandise too. Continue below for a look at the most recently revealed works.

There are at least two calendars on the way featuring art from the exhibition. The Universe Publishing version which was previewed a while ago, is in a poster format. Danilo meanwhile is issuing something a bit more like a catalogue for the exhibition, with numerous artworks and brief creator biographies represented across the pages of the Star Trek 50th Anniversary Official 2017 Calendar.  The front cover features Rocco Malatesta's Spock illustration 50 - Live Long and Prosper.

The back cover meanwhile features Tom Whalen's U.S.S. Enterprise Spec Sheet, plus preview pages from inside, highlighting numerous pieces, including illustrations by Star Trek comic book artist Joe Corroney, what looks like Spock made from threads by Hyunju Kim, and pieces from Mattel Hot Wheels toy designers.

Book bits: Latest Star Trek prose, comics, and non-fiction updates

Lots of Star Trek books bits and pieces gathered below, including news of a new Titan novel, new rare comic reprints, a look at the new Star Trek Encyclopedia, and some intriguing new titles. Continue below for details of all those and more!

First up, from the world of Star Trek comics, Amazon has now added a listing for the second book in the reprints of the UK comic strips, the rare early Star Trek comics which were originally published in several magazines in the UK in the sixties and seventies. Star Trek: The Classic UK Comics, Volume Two, is due out in November, and has this snazzy cover that shows off some of the glorious art within.

New Star Trek shaped vinyl single

La La Land Records have struck a vein of pure awesome with their newly announced Star Trek soundtrack release; a single edition of the TOS theme, released on a Starfleet delta shaped vinyl disc, made in command gold.

The A side features the season three soprano version of the the main title, while side B is the season one cello version. It will, naturally, be a limited edition of 1701 units, and available first at the San Diego Comic Con, before being offered online, from La La Land's website, from the 26th of July.

Starships Collection updates: Enterprise-J and much more

It's been a while since I've posted an update on Eaglemoss' Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection, and as a result I've got a bumper update below with loads of news and images of all the latest and forthcoming ships.

First up, fresh from series manager Ben Robinson's Twitter and Facebook, comes the first images of the long awaited USS Enterprise-J model - And what a beauty she is! I imagine this spindly 26th century design was a challenge to produce at this scale, but she's come out great. The issue number for this one hasn't been revealed yet, but if there's a prototype in hand it can't be too far on the horizon. Note, as ever with these early photos, this is not the final model, expect some tweaks to the colours.

Latest round of Star Trek Beyond trailers

Paramount have unleashed several new TV spots and character focused spots for Star Trek Beyond recently, continue below to check them all out - There's a fair bit of new footage, which is getting increasingly spoilery, so proceed with caution.

But first, the first clip from the film, a moment on Starbase Yorktown between Spock and Uhura, and then some advice from Doctor McCoy:

New Star Trek roller coaster! And other theme park updates

Behold, a future Star Trek adventure in the making! That building site pictured is the site of Star Trek: Operation Enterprise, a new Star Trek themed roller coaster which will open in Movie Park Germany next year.

The roller coaster will be the second highest in the movie and TV themed park, and according to the press release will offer visitors a unique ride:

The new coaster will be what is known as a launch coaster, with which the guests will begin the experience with an accelerated catapulting and not first drawn over a hill with a respective drop. 

While no imagery of what the final construction will look like has yet been revealed, a time lapse of that construction site has (with rather dramatic music for digging and pouring concrete!), as has this splendid little video simply celebrating Star Trek:



As the press release also mentions, this will be a unique attraction in the world, the only Star Trek theme park ride. It is not the first however, for some years there was another Star Trek roller coaster in the US, the Borg Assimilator, which flew riders around the wreckage of a crashed Borg Sphere (image via Flickr, and many more on Theme Park Review).

Anovos' Star Trek Beyond uniforms

High end costume and prop makers Anovos have revealed the first of their uniform replicas from Star Trek Beyond. Available to order now, for expected delivery towards the end of the year, are the new Starfleet uniform tunic and dress.

The tunic is available in all three department colours:

USS Enterprise takes its place as one of the Milestones of Flight

Almost two years ago the original studio model of the USS Enterprise left it's home in the gift shop of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum to spend some time in spacedock for a major overall. After months of repairs, reinforcements, new lighting installations, and a fresh coat of paint, the Enterprise has now returned, to a new place of honour in the new look Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall.

The model sits aside other significant artefacts from the history of flight and space exploration, including Sputnik, an Apollo lunar module, and SpaceShipOne.

The Star Trek fan film guidelines

Behind the scenes on Star Trek Continues

CBS and Paramount recently released a set of guidelines for Star Trek fan films. For many of the better known fan film productions these are game changing, and for other film makers they define clear limits on what is now acceptable. Continue below to ponder them.

CBS and Paramount announced the guidelines with a message on StarTrek.com:

Star Trek fandom is like no other.

Your support, enthusiasm and passion are the reasons that Star Trek has flourished for five decades and will continue long into the future. You are the reason the original Star Trek series was rescued and renewed in 1968, and the reason it has endured as an iconic and multi-generational phenomenon that has spawned seven television series and 13 movies.

Throughout the years, many of you have expressed your love for the franchise through creative endeavors such as fan films. So today, we want to show our appreciation by bringing fan films back to their roots.

The heart of these fan films has always been about expressing one’s love and passion for Star Trek. They have been about fan creativity and sharing unique stories with other fans to show admiration for the TV shows and movies. These films are a labor of love for any fan with desire, imagination and a camera.

We want to support this innovation and encourage celebrations of this beloved cultural phenomenon. It is with this perspective in mind that we are introducing a set of guidelines at Star Trek Fan Films.

Thank you for your ongoing and steadfast enthusiasm and support, which ensure that Star Trek will continue to inspire generations to come.

There are ten rules, which you can read them in full on StarTrek.com. In summary they are:

50th anniversary USS Enterprises

The USS Enterprise is getting a bit of bling this golden anniversary year, continue below to check out the latest models of the iconic ship.

Announced as one of Diamond Select Toys' San Diego Comic Con exclusives is a golden edition of the USS Enterprise-A. The model maintains the usual printing, giving an interesting smarting of blue over the golden hull. This will be a limited edition of 300.

Latest Star Trek board games: Frontiers, Risk, Trivial Pursuit, and jigsaws

It's a good year for Star Trek loving board-gamers, with some innovative new games and Trek-ified classics all looking to occupy the table. Continue below to check out the latest.

New from Wizkids is Frontiers, a game designed by Andrew Parks, based on Vlaada Chvátil's Mage Knight. Here is how Wizkids describe the elaborate game:

A contested region of space accessible through a known wormhole has drawn the attention of powerful forces throughout the galaxy. Both the Federation and the Klingon Empire, who share a delicate alliance at this time, have recently built outposts in the region. But now news of grave troubles brewing in the region has prompted both the Klingons and the Federation to investigate immediately.

Command your ship, recruit new crew members, earn experience points, and use your skills to confront the challenges of the Star Trek Universe. Explore and face a variety of challenges on a randomly built Space Map using the Venture Tile System first introduced in the award-winning game, Mage Knight.

Star Trek: Frontiers is designed for 1 to 4 players with multiple competitive, cooperative and solo scenarios. Work together to defeat hostile ships or compete to explore and uncover hidden mysteries. Players will need to overcome obstacles to expand their knowledge and use their leadership as they adventure in order to be victorious in their exploration!