Star Trek Beyond cast and crew honour Anton Yelchin and Leonard Nimoy at film's San Diego Comic Con premiere

'There is something wrong tonight'

The Star Trek Beyond premiere at San Diego Comic-Con was both a spectacularly exciting event yet also incredibly sad.

While it marked the first time a film has been screened outdoors on an IMAX and the first time a premiere was accompanied by a ninety-piece orchestra, the event was missing one person in particular: Anton Yelchin.

The actor tragically died passed away last month at the age of 27, much to everyone’s shock; the cast and crew paying their respects at the premiere.

“As wonderful as this is to be here with all of you, and to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, there is something wrong tonight,” producer J.J. Abrams told the crowd, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "There is something missing tonight, there is someone missing tonight."

"Anton Yelchin should be here. Anton’s parents are here, Irina and Victor. We love their son and if I could ask everyone to have a moment of silence for our dear friend, Anton.”

Following the moments silence, fireworks were set off as the Star Trek theme was blasted out by the orchestra. Later on, Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock in the rebooted series, paid tribute to the original Spock, Leonard Nimoy.

"I Just want to take a moment to honour him, to acknowledge him, to celebrate him and to love him. We all carry him with us in our heart, tonight,” he said.

Abrams recently confirmed that they will not recast Yelchin's character in the films. Star Trek Beyond is in UK cinemas now.