Star Trek (2009 film)

James McAvoy is again kind of sort of hinting that maybe there is something to the rumor that he may be involved in Star Trek XI. In a new interview with ComingSoon.net the subject of Trek came up: CS: I was reading on the Internet about someone asking you about playing Scotty in a Star Trek movie, probably just because you’re Scottish. McAvoy: I know! I’m a huge Star Trek fan. No, I don’t know what’s going to happen with that. It might happen, it might not.

After a report in a Scottish tabloid about James McAvoy playing Scotty, TrekMovie.com reported McAvoy’s publicist stated the actor had not been approached for the role. At the time it was noted that even if he hadn’t been officially approached, there still may be some interest. Now in an interview with IESB McAvoy puts a little more wood on the rumor fire. When asked specifically if he had been approached he cryptically says "not in so many words." To add more confusion, the first time TrekMovie made inquiries on this subject we were told by some one in his camp that he had been approached, but then were told later (by his publicist) that he had not been. Until Trek XI has a budget it is unlikely that actors would be officially appraoched (especially for secondary roles). One thing is clear from the McAvoy interview, he is a real Star Trek fan (see below). 

When Chris Doohan, the son of the original Scotty James Doohan, saw reports that Paramount is looking for a new Scotty he decided he should throw his hat into the ring. To that end Chris has started a grassroots campaign asking fans to write Paramount and suggest a Doohan for the iconic engineer. Chris tells TrekMovie.com that the idea actually came from fans: "In the back of my mind I thought this would be kind of neat to be in the movie, but never thought as the role of Scotty. Then a lot people on MySpace kept saying I should try it, and so I thought what the heck I will give it a try." Even though he has just started the campaign he says that he has got hundreds of responses from people saying they have written to Paramount on his behalf. Doohan has been surprised at how much interest his campaign has garnered, but is still realistic about his chances, saying "it is probably a shot in the dark and I know my chances aren’t good, but it is something you throw out there into the universe and see what comes back"

While the brain trust behind Trek XI remain mum, William Shatner keeps on talking. This week The Shat talks to Time magazine, where he reveals a tiny bit more about his thoughts on Star Trek XI. Time: Lost producer J.J. Abrams is working on a Star Trek movie for 2008 about a young Kirk and Spock, and there are rumors you will make an appearance. Shatner: I did have a talk with J.J., and he outlined what he wanted to do. Getting a character who is supposed to be dead to talk to his younger self is a storytelling problem. But if you want to guarantee the audience will come in droves, one of the things you might do is include some members of the old cast.

JJ Abrams best friend Greg Grunberg was on Jimmy Kimmel Live last Friday, and Jimmy asked him about being in Trek XI. Grunberg said that he may not want to sit for eight hours of make-up for just a line, but Abrams may not give him a choice.