The principle cast, along with a few folks from previous incarnations of the franchise as well as a few celeb fans, made their way out to Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA last night for the Hollywood premiere of JJ Abrams’s new Star Trek film (tho you may recall that the film already premiered in Sydney, Australia and London, England). Hollywood Blvd. teemed with Trekkies and celebs alike clamoring to be a part of the big party … and David and I were lucky enough to be among them. Here are a few pics of the new cast of Star Trek making their entrances on the red carpet (which was actually black and silver) and some deets from last night’s affair:

In 1966, “Star Trek” was launched on television, then unceremoniously canceled due to low ratings. In 2002, fans mourned the death of the franchise after a movie and new TV series were both poorly received. In 2009, a time-traveling reboot has relaunched the Enterprise — and filled Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with fans renewed in their belief that “Trek” will live long and prosper. “I’ve only seen about half the movie,” grinned Leonard Nimoy on the movie premiere’s massive black carpet, admitting that the emotion of passing the Spock torch to Zachary Quinto left him unable to sit through the film’s heart-tugging second half with dry eyes. “I’m very proud of him.” “I couldn’t love him any more; I’ve just been so honored to get to know him,” Quinto returned, adding that Thursday night’s celebratory atmosphere would even prove infectious for the logical character the two men share. “Spock loves to party; he loves to let his bangs down every once in a while.” In addition to the movie’s stars, such proud Trekkies as Amanda Bynes, Neil Patrick Harris, Leighton Meester, Rainn Wilson and Heidi Klum walked the event’s massive stage shaped like the “Trek” logo. “This is like Cinco de Mayo and Yom Kippur all rolled into one for me,” “Inglourious Basterds” actor Samm Levine marveled. Director Robert Rodriguez was equally excited, saying he was torn over his favorite “Trek” character: “I love Captain Kirk, but I love the Vulcan grip too, so I’ve gotta go with Spock.” New Kirk Chris Pine insisted that the film, which comes out May 8, stays true to Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a harmonious future. “To present a positive image of the world, there’s nothing better than that,” he said. “I can’t believe this amazing series has lived for 40-something years,” beamed Zoe Saldana, the new Uhura. “And now we’re here.” “This is definitely the craziest premiere I’ve been to, and definitely the biggest,” explained Rachel Nichols, one of the movie’s sexy alien green girls. “It’s the hottest ticket in town.” The death of “Trek,” it seems, was greatly exaggerated when the series hit a speed bump in the early part of this decade. And down to a person, all the new crew members credited the well-reviewed 2009 film to the brave resurrection efforts of J.J. Abrams and his creative team. “Three years ago, J.J. called me and was like ‘Is “Star Trek” dead?’ ” recalled Damon Lindelof, a producer on Abrams’ “Trek” and “Lost,” as hundreds of pointy-eared fans shrieked at the stars. “Now, three years later, we’re here.” “‘Star Trek’ is cool again,” said an amped-up Karl Urban, who plays the new “Bones” McCoy in the film. “It’s hip; it’s sexy. It’s ballistic.”

Gene Roddenberry’s vision for Star Trek was to create a series where hope, prosperity and unity were the hallmarks of a bold new vision of the future. When Star Trek was created, there was still so much racial unrest in this country that it seemed like absolute science fiction that people of different races (and species) could co-exist in a semi-peaceful future landscape. You may know that the original Star Trek series provided US television with its first interracial kiss (between James T. Kirk and Uhura). So much has happened since Trek first blazed its way on our televisions. Abrams’s new vision for Star Trek is nothing short of epic … but I’ll get to my review of the film a little later on. After the jump, check out which Star Trek stars from days of yore came out for the premiere and see which celebs count themselves as rabid Trekkie fans …

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In happy nuptials news, longtime partners George Takei and Brad Altman finally took their stroll down the aisle together yesterday afternoon and entered the bonds of lawfully wedded bliss. You may recall that George and Brad were among the first California citizens who applied for their marriage licenses when same-sex marriage was legalized in the state back in June. This weekend, the grooms made it official with close friends and family to bless the occasion:

George Takei and his longtime partner, Brad Altman, were wed Sunday evening in a Buddhist ceremony in downtown Los Angeles. “All I can remember is what the priest said,” Takei told PEOPLE after the ceremony. “That this moment will never happen again. It’s something to savor.” Nearly 200 of the couple’s friends attended the event, which began as a kimono-clad koto player plucked out tunes on the ancient Japanese stringed instrument. Afterward, the couple sipped sake from red lacquer cups, then said their vows to one another while standing within a circle of yellow rose petals. A Scottish bagpiper led Takei, 71, and Altman, 54, to the reception on the grounds of the Japanese American National Museum. On the way, the couple, along with their maid of honor and best man (Takei’s former Star Trek co-stars Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig) flashed the “live long and prosper” hand sign to photographers and friends. “I was fighting back the tears,” said Nichols, who played Uhura on the Star Trek series. “But they came oozing out anyway. I’m so happy that they’re both able to legally proclaim their commitment to one another after spending the past 21 years together.”

Awww … I love these two together. It’s couples like this that make me so happy that same-sex marriage has finally been legalized in the great State of California. Much love and congrats goes out to the newlyweds … may they live long and happy lives together full of bliss and happiness. Mazel Tov!

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Altho same-sex marriage officially became fully legal in the state of California on Monday June 16 at 5:01pm PT, it wasn’t until yesterday that most same-sex couples were allowed to get their marriage licenses … and boy did they, by the hundreds. In West Hollywood, CA, a ribbon-cutting ceremony (attended by Star Trek star George Takei and his longtime partner [soon to be husband] Brad Altman, among others) signaled the start of marriage licenses to be issued there while other counties issued their licenses with much less pomp and circumstance. Here are a few pics of George Takei with Brad Altman as they received their marriage license yesterday:

Star Trek’s George Takei is one step closer to the altar. The 71-year-old actor and longtime partner Brad Altman, 54, received a marriage license from the City of West Hollywood on Tuesday morning, becoming one of the first gay Californians to obtain a license since the state Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages last month. “We are first and foremost beyond delighted!” an ecstatic Takei told PEOPLE minutes after he obtained the license. “It’s a landmark day.” Just days after the California ruling, Takei announced his plans to marry Altman, his partner of 21 years. The couple plan to wed on September 14 in front of family and friends, including some of Takei’s Star Trek cast mates. Immediately after obtaining their marriage license, “I started singing ‘One Singular Sensation,’” Takei said. “(Brad) said ‘I love you’ and I looked at him and said, ‘I love you.’” Takei and Altman were the first couple to receive a marriage license from West Hollywood, a city that previously did not issue licenses to gay or straight couples. The wedding will take place at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

While George and Brad are among the first celeb couples to enjoy full marriage equality here in California there were among hundreds of same-sex couples who received marriage licenses yesterday … and many of those hundreds immediately exercised their right to marry and tied the knot.

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