Following a first few glimpses last month, the team behind the in-progress 4K UHD remastering of the Star Trek: The Motion Picture Director’s Edition today shared some new high-resolution captures of some new visual effects work from the 2022 release!
Shared at the official Star Trek website, the updated look behind the scenes now includes not only a look at new imagery from the film, but a surprise as well: the team has located and scanned in original photography plates of images planned for use in the 1979 edition of The Motion Picture, but never used — even in the 2001 Director’s Edition.
Producer David C. Fein writes, “Using scans of original 1979 photography plates-including some intended to be used but were omitted at the time — our team is digitally recombining these elements to present them as they were originally intended, and with a clarity and quality unimagined. I can’t wait for everyone to see it!”
Of note in this image (as spotted by TMP Visual Comparisons on Twitter) is the always-missing planet Earth behind the Enterprise as it leaves drydock; while the planet always appears behind the starship and framing in most orbital scenes, it has always been just “gone” from the departure sequence — this is a nice restoration of the original intent.
Fein provided high-resolution images from the 4K VFX work, including this look at Vulcan’s surface — with the sunlight levels raised from the 2001 edition, much more in line with the lighting from the live-action footage that accompanies it.
The producer notes: “As originally intended, Spock returns to the temple during the day…. This certainly makes sense since you can see him block sunlight from his eyes In a previous shot. The theatrical version had a night sky with moons… and as previously stated in the original show, “Vulcan has no moons!”
Fein also shared these images of the Enterprise’s time inside V’Ger, which include newly-rendered visual effects shots for the movie that feature updated color timing and lighting effects. (While the lens flares shown here have already created some to complain on social media, the momentary flash of light will pass nearly instantly when the film is in motion.)
For a comparison of just how much larger the new 4K image is compared to the standard-definition DVD, here’s an inlay showing that original 480p image size within the new UHD framing:
Finally, Fein also shared this look at the famous “reflection of the Enterprise” visual effects shot that was created originally for the 2001 DVD edition, showing the refit starship reflected in Admiral Kirk’s face while approaching from space.
Curiously, this preview image is somewhat lower-quality than expected — possibly even an upscaled image from the standard-def picture size, but that is speculation — which hopefully means this iconic shot from the Director’s Edition is still “under construction” in their team’s edit bay.
The remastered Director’s Edition will debut on Paramount+ in 2022, but we have no doubt it will eventually come to 4K UHD Blu-ray and standard Blu-ray disc formats after the P+ exclusivity window closes.
Currently, only the theatrical edition of Star Trek: The Motion Picture is available on 4K Blu-ray in the new four-film set as well as in a standalone release, which features the remastered presentation on standard 1080p HD Blu-ray.
 Star Trek: The First 4 FilmsRemastered for 4K Blu-ray  |  Star Trek: The Original SeriesBlu-ray Steelbooks |