It is perhaps the coolest gadget in the universe after the lightsaber. It’s the Starship Enterprise. And the new reboot of the popular Paramount science fiction series is getting its flagship ride “pimped” for JJ Abrams vision of what Starfleet looks like. The new Enterprise looks a lot like the old from both the series and the movies, and Abrams says he did it that way deliberately.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Abrams plan was to create a new Enterprise design by fusing original TV series Enterprise and the movie franchise Enterprise. The result is a super cool starship that looks like it stopped by the Federation speed shop on the way to the Neutral Zone.
“If you’re going to do Star Trek there are many things you cannot change,” said Abrams. “The Enterprise is a visual touchstone for so many people. So if you’re going to do the Enterprise, it better look like the Enterprise, because otherwise, what are you doing?”

The result is a ship built for speed that is as deadly as it is sleek. And it better be. Star Trek fans are the most demanding in the world and so the wisdom of keeping the design of Kirk’s starship is as smart as it is realistic. And with today’s visual effects so sophisticated, you can bet that the photon torpedos and phasers that come out of that puppy are going to be awesome.

Star Trek warps to theaters May 8, 2009.

Hat Tip – Entertainment Weekly