Star Trek 2 has begun filming today, and several facts about the production have emerged.

According to TrekMovie.com, the movie is being shot on Sony Studios stages in Culver City as well as at the Hollywood Paramount lot.

One place the filming will not be happening is Hawaii. Although J.J. Abrams went to Hawaii to check it out as a possible place to film a “jungle planet” scene, a location in Southern California was ultimately chosen for those scenes.

Star Trek 2 will use more sets, including sections of the USS Enterprise not seen in 2009′s Star Trek XI, than were used in the first film.

Filming on Star Trek 2 will begin on Thursday, according to J.J. Abrams.

Although Star Trek 2 will eventually be converted to 3D, it will first be filmed in anamorphic format. “We’re shooting on film,” said Abrams, “and the reason for that is that I wanted to shoot with anamorphic, and you can’t shoot 3D in anamorphic.”

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For fans of the original series and beyond, according to J.J. Abrams, don’t worry, because it’s all good and the adventures they love are still valid.

When Star Trek XI was created, the timeline alterations were meant to free Star Trek writers from the shackles of years of Star Trek canon stretching from the original series through Star Trek: Enterprise, so that writers could create new and fresh adventures.

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For fans hoping to see William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy or other actors from the original series in Star Trek 2, it looks like you’re out of luck. Plus: the possible return of Captain Pike, and an Abrams Star Trek 2 progress report.

The word over at Showbiz 411, from a “source close to the next film,” claims that none or the original series actors would be returning for Star Trek 2.

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If J.J. Abrams has his way, Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League, Entourage) will be appearing in Star Trek 2.

Two other actresses, Teresa Palmer (I am Number Four), and Hayley Atwell (Captain America: The First Avenger) were in contention for the role, but Eve was the one chosen by Abrams.

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J.J. Abrams confirmed that he would like to have Benicio Del Toro in Star Trek 2, although he is mum regarding what role the actor would play.

Del Toro and Abrams are still trying to work out a deal to get Del Toro for the Trek sequel. “Well, we’re just in negotiations,” said Abrams. “We’re in discussions. It’s not even negotiations—just in discussion. But I would love to work with him. I’ve wanted to work with him for years, and this felt like a good opportunity.”

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Yesterday’s Honolulu Advertiser confirmed that J.J. Abrams was looking at Hawaii as a possible location for part of Star Trek 2.

As reported by TrekToday last week, Hawaii was under consideration as a locale for a “jungle planet” in Star Trek 2.

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TrekMovie.com is reporting that although Star Trek 2 probably won’t be released until 2013, filming will begin on January 15.

The original script has already been, “done for a while,” according to Roberto Orci, and the writers are working on a third draft. “Rewriting is a good thing which normally makes the script better,” Orci added. “We like to keep pushing the script, even if no one gives us notes.”

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The rumor mill is cranking up when it comes to Star Trek 2, and the latest information to emerge is that J.J. Abrams has an actor in mind for a villain for the movie.

Benicio Del Toro is the actor expected to be offered the part soon. According to Variety, Del Toro has already met with Abrams.

An actor and film producer, Del Toro won an Academy Award for his role as a Mexican cop in 2000′s Traffic. He has recently completed Savages, where he played a drug cartel enforcer. Savages will release next September.

It is not yet known what kind of villain Del Toro will be playing.

Zachary Quinto and Anton Yelchin could not imagine Star Trek 2 without J.J. Abrams as director and they are happy that he will be directing the sequel.

“I would have never imagined that he wouldn’t come back or that…a lot of the key players wouldn’t have returned for the second one,” said Quinto. “But I guess it was a possibility, so that I’m glad there’s not doubt about that [ the Abrams return]. It’s really starting to ramp up in a big way…”

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Another project from J.J. Abrams has been announced.

This time, Abrams is teaming with screenwriter Billy Ray on the untitled project, which is said to be a mystery adventure. The project has been purchased by Paramount.

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The ever-busy J.J. Abrams will be an executive producer on a new drama series created by Supernatural‘s Eric Kripke.

NBC has committed to a pilot for the drama, titled Revolution, which is described as an “epic adventure thriller.”

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According to Vulture, J.J. Abrams will indeed be directing Star Trek 2.

“Insiders familiar with the director’s plans” told Vulture that pre-production on Star Trek 2 was underway; the script is set to be completed by the end of this month; and Star Trek 2 will begin shooting this winter.

Supposedly, part of the delay was due to the lack of availability of Alex Kurtzman, who had been working on Welcome to People. But now Kurtzman’s work on that project has been completed and he is ready to turn his attention to Star Trek 2.

Even though J.J. Abrams is busy, with three shows to be in production by 2012, he is thinking about the future, which includes Star Trek.

Abrams recently discussed the possibility of seeing Star Trek on television after the current movies are completed.

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In a short interview with MTV, J.J. Abrams gave an update report on Star Trek 2, talking about what he felt was important when it came to the sequel.

Abrams and the writers met recently and Abrams promised more news would be forthcoming. “We met yesterday,” he said. “We had a big endless meeting, it was great. I think we will have something to talk about really soon.

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