For Justin Lin, being asked to direct the newest film in the Star Trek franchise was a dream come true.
"Growing up, Star Trek was a big part of my life, and it was my connection with my family," he says.
"I never expected to be contributing to the legacy of the franchise. So when I got the call from [producer JJ Abrams], it was the greatest detour of my career."
Originally Lin was supposed to be working on an indie movie - that all changed when Abrams called.
Lin says Star Trek was pretty much the only franchise he would do that for.
"It's relentless, but I've been working with this great group of people and it's been so rewarding."
Of the cast, Lin says he had a special connection with Kiwi actor Karl Urban thanks to the character he played.
"Growing up, I loved Bones," Lin says.
"We immigrated to the US when I was eight, and my family was just my parents and my brothers. Bones was always like the uncle that I wanted - the curmudgeon uncle that I never had.
"So it was so much fun with Karl on set. I loved working with all the cast but with Karl especially, we're always talking - because he's such a huge fan and he loves Bones."
Most of the team had already worked together on the previous two films, a work relationship spanning nearly a decade.
It could have made for a difficult entry for newcomer Lin, but it was anything but.
When he came into the team, Lin says Abrams told him to "be bold".
"'Do whatever you want, but make it yours'," Lin remembers. "I really took that to heart."
And when it comes to the controversial decision to confirm John Cho's Hikaru Sulu as gay in this movie, Lin says it was long overdue and he wanted to present it in a way that made it not a big deal.
"I think in the future it's about people who are very inclusive," he says.
"I'm very proud of the way we were able to present this."
Star Trek Beyond opened in cinemas worldwide on Thursday.
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