Star Trek official site launches; first pic revealed

Via Vic and others comes word that Paramount has launched the official website for the J.J. Abrams’ helmed relaunch of Star Trek that will hit theaters this Christmas. There’s almost nothing on the site of any substance, just an “Under Construction” not and a bunch of sections that are still labeled as coming soon. But at least it begins the staking out of the movie’s corner of the Internet.

Erik Davis at Cinematical also passes on the first official picture from the movie, a shadowy (intentionally, not because it was a spy photo or anything) shot of the Enterprise itself. This first glimpse at the ship is sure to excite the Trekkers or Trekkies or whatever they’re calling themselves these days. But – and I’m trying to be completely honest here – I’m pretty jazzed by it as well.

The site and the picture are coming just as the first teaser trailer is set to debut in front of the much-anticipated Cloverfield, which is also coming from Paramount and which was produced by Abrams.

Part of why I’m actually getting a bit excited for this new installment in the Trek franchise is probably because of the halo effect Cloverfield is creating, but it’s also because Abrams is a brand in and of himself and has a reputation for quality. So there’s the sense that this will be a good MOVIE first and a good STAR TREK MOVIE second.

The increased activity around the new movie is also making me crave seeing the previous Trek movies (at least the ones that don’t stink) again, which is something Paramount has likely factored in and will try to tap into with reissued DVDs and other such moves.

If there’s one disappointment I have with the release of the Enterprise picture it’s that Paramount didn’t try to do something a little more clever beforehand. They could have gotten a lot of traction in the fan community with a “Submit your Enterprise design” contest or showcase or something before everyone got a halfway decent look at what it actually does look like.

One final note: The Tribble Agency blog (natch) catches some interesting keyword advertising Paramount is doing for those looking for the Star Trek trailer before its debut.