A scheduled event for Star Trek Beyond at Cannes has been cancelled by Paramount Pictures in light of Anton Yelchin's death. The cast of the movie – including Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana and Zachary Quinto - were set to attend a Q&A session on Wednesday at the 63rd Cannes Lions festival, which kicked off at the weekend.
"All of us are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Anton Yelchin. Out of respect, we are withdrawing out participation in the previously announced Star Trek Beyond event at Cannes Lions this week," the studio confirmed in a statement.
Anton Yelchin was tragically killed on 19 June
The film, which is the third installment in the franchise's rebooted saga, is set to open in the US on 22 July. It is one of five films starring Anton that will be released posthumously.
The 27-year-old was killed in a freak accident on Sunday when his Jeep rolled backwards down his drive and pinned him against a fence. The coroner's office confirmed this week that the star died of blunt force asphyxia. Details of his funeral are not yet known, but a source told E! News that he will be laid to rest "sooner rather than later".
After the news of his death went public, Anton's Star Trek colleagues paid tribute on social media. "Devastated by our friend's loss. We are mourning his passing and celebrating the beautiful spirit that he was. #RIPAnton," Zoe wrote on Twitter.
The actor with his Star Trek co-stars, John Cho, Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto
Director JJ Abrams penned a heartfelt handwritten note that read: "Anton –You were brilliant. You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented. And you weren't here nearly long enough. Missing you..."
Zachary, meanwhile, shared a photo of Anton on Instagram, writing alongside: "Our dear friend. Our comrade. Our Anton. One of the most open and intellectually curious people I have ever had the pleasure to know. So enormously talented and generous of heart. Wise beyond his years. And gone before his time. All love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief."
