It’s been a tough week for the Star Trek Beyond fam with the tragic loss of star Anton Yelchin, and Rihanna endeavored to bring some light to dark times with her new song "Sledgehammer." Written by Sia, the pop ballad dropped today as part of the movie’s latest trailer and was specifically made for the action-packed motion picture.
The emotional song touched two of the franchise’s stars: Zoe Saldana and Zachary Quinto. Both took to Instagram to send their praise for providing some much-needed positivity. "After such an unimaginably sad week for our star trek family - @badgalriri brings some light into the darkness," Quinto wrote.
Saldana offered up similar sentiments, saying: "Thank you @badgalriri, for a beautiful song during one of the most difficult times for our StarTrek family. We know Anton would be proud."
Yelchin passed away at the age of 27 after being pinned between is Jeep Grand Cherokee and a brick wall attached to a security gate at his Los Angeles home. The young actor’s vehicle was still running and placed in neutral when it rolled down the driveway and crushed him. A $5 million class-action lawsuit was filed last Thursday against Jeep Grand Cherokee manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for a "dangerously defective" gear shift. Yelchin’s jeep had been recalled for gear shift issues.
After his death, friends and former co-stars reached out on social media to express their grief. "I loved Anton Yelchin so much. He was a true artist - curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I'm in ruins," John Cho, who plays Sulu in the reboot, wrote.
Karl Urban, who portrays Bones in the films, recently shared a Dubsmash of Yelchin lipsyncing to the Backstreet Boys' megahit "Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)."
Rest in power.
