"Star

Trek Into Darkness" is now just a few weeks from its release, and fan anticipation for the return trip to the bridge of the Starship Enterprise has never been higher. So it seems appropriate that the first clip from the J.J. Abrams-directed sequel hit the

target="_blank">Web Monday (April 22) amid all the excitement.

The new clip comes from the beginning of the film, when James Kirk (Chris Pine) and Bones (Karl Urban) have narrowly escaped a hostile native population on a distant planet, while Spock (Zachary Quinto) descends into the heart of a ready-to-erupt volcano.

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We already know that the crew will have more to contend with than volcanic eruptions in "Star Trek Into Darkness." The mysterious character played by Benedict Cumberbatch, known only by the suspiciously generic name John Harrison, seems dead-set on destroying the entirety of Starfleet and is taking his wrath out on London in one harrowing sequence seen in the trailers.

Sci-fi fans are also undoubtedly eager for the release of "Star Trek Into Darkness" because Abrams' press run for the movie may reveal secrets about "Star Wars: Episode VII."

MTV News spoke with Quinto and Pine backstage at the

href="http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2013/">2013 MTV Movie Awards and asked them how they felt about Abrams' "Star Wars" job and what it means for his future with the "Star Trek" series.

"['Star Wars'] is a big commitment. The good thing about J.J. is that no matter what happens, you know that if he has to hand it off to someone, it will be someone that he trusts and will take care of the franchise," Pine said. "But we do want J.J. I think all of us do."

"Star Trek Into Darkness" opens in theaters on May 17.

Check out everything we've got on "Star Trek Into Darkness."