Rejected Klingon designs for Star Trek Into Darkness revealed

When JJ Abrams’ ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ crashed into cinemas back in May, much internet-speak was devoted to the revamped return of the ‘Trek’ universe’s most infamous antagonists, the Klingons.

Now, the concept artist behind the species redesign, Neville Page, has unveiled the alternative versions of the iconic sci-fi race.

[JJ Abrams: why I rebooted Klingons for Star Trek Into Darkness]

“This first round of images are some of the development of the Klingons,” Page wrote on his website. “This was a very important assignment for me because I knew how important it was to the fans of the franchise. It was a delicate balance of respecting the established looks from previous incarnations yet delivering something appropriate for JJ's film.”

“Part of my self induced criteria was to do a cleaner version (especially regarding the forehead),” he continued, “and to make them sexy (or sexier if you already find them sexy!)”

Speaking to JJ himself earlier this summer, the filmmaker justified the Klingons’ overhaul, telling us that a new design (“in the realm of what people knew… but a distinct difference”), was needed for the movie:

“It also shows that this ‘Star Trek’ was not trying to copy what was done nearly 50 years ago,” he said, “but find its own rhythm, its own universe. It just felt like the right choice.”

[Simon Pegg slams Star Trek fans over 'worst Trek movie' vote]

The almost-aliens range from the tribal, to the bizarrely beast-like. Check some more of the “sexy” redesigns below…

Tell us what you think of the alternative aliens in the comments - and whilst you're here, watch our interview with JJ back in May, when he told us all about the new look Klingons, below.