Anton Yelchin is being remembered as a "special" person and "fantastic" actor in the wake of his death.
Star Trek Beyond producer J.J. Abrams and actor Karl Urban paid tribute to the late star in new interviews ahead of the film's premiere this week. Yelchin died at age 27 on June 19.
"Because it is so unspeakably sad and insane and wrong that he is gone, I think that the way he is honored at the end of the movie, which is so simple and small, it literally feels like the perfect way," Abrams told AZ Central.
"Because there are no words, there's no process that any of us have found to understand this. It just feels like it's a bit of a grace note. It felt appropriate," he elaborated. "That kid was special and it really is impossible that he's not here."
Yelchin died after being discovered pinned between his Jeep and a brick pillar outside his home in Studio City, Calif. While his death was initially described as a "freak accident," police are investigating whether his vehicle had a defective transmission.
"Such a beautiful man," the actor reflected. "It's so difficult to think about him in the past. I'll never forget his laugh. This movie's a great testament to him. He's fantastic in it."
Yelchin's parents, Irina and Victor Yelchin, thanked fans for their support in the latest issue of The Hollywood Reporter. The couple took out a full-page ad featuring a photo of their late son.
"Thank you to all of you who have sent flowers and gifts, for your condolences and kind words and to all who came to celebrate the life of our dear son, Anton," the pair wrote. "We are deeply grateful for your unconditional love for [him]. He would be surprised at how many hearts and souls he touched.
Yelchin played Chekov in the 2009 movie Star Trek and its 2013 sequel, Star Trek into Darkness. He will posthumously appear in Star Trek Beyond, which co-stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana and opens Friday.
The Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) and Dubai Studio City (DSC) are gearing up for the premiere and global release of the third instalment of the globally renowned sci-fi franchise, Star Trek Beyond.
DFTC has announced that the Dubai premiere of the film will take place on July 19 at Novo Cinemas in Ibn Battuta Mall, marking the franchise's 50th anniversary and will be attended by senior officials and media figures, local filmmakers and celebrities, as well as famous social media influencers. The film will be released in cinemas in the UAE on July 21.
The principal photography filming in Dubai for Star Trek Beyond took place for 13 days in October last year, where scenes of the movie were filmed in iconic locations in Dubai including the Burj Al Arab, Al Mas Tower in Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Central Park in DIFC, Meydan and the Sound Stages in Dubai Studio City, which are all shown as part of a futuristic setting in the film.
By Annie Martin
Editor's note: This article has been edited from the source material
