ST09 Cast

Although James McAvoy recently seemed to be relishing keeping the ‘cast as Scotty’ rumors going, he has now definitively stated he has not been cast. McAvoy tells Empire “No. There’s no truth in the Star Trek rumours. I am a Trekkie, but no – absolutely not." But as a Trekkie he left the door open when asked if he would be open to a part, saying  “Hmmm [smiling]…I’d have to see.” It is worth noting that the big IGN casting rumor from last week (with Damon, Brody and Sinise) also cited ‘sources’ saying that McAvoy was ‘in the mix.’ It is of course possible that McAvoy is on some one’s list at Paramount or Bad Robot (Abrams production company), but that is a long way from being cast. The same can be said about the other actors being talked about.

Of course since the film was first leaked last April the working assumption in the media is that Trek XI will feature the classic characters of Kirk and Spock, but both the studio and the film makers have continued to say that they will not discuss plot details. Over the weekend Trekmovie.com has received some messages about an email newsletter from StarTrek.com that reads in part " …we know this: J.J. Abrams will be directing "Star Trek XI," centering on the younger Kirk and Spock characters…" Some have taken this the ‘official’ confirmation from Paramount – it is not. According to StarTrek.com, they were citing the Hollywood Reporter article which mentioned Kirk and Spock and that it is still not ‘official’. Of course TrekMovie.com long ago stated that we will no longer say ‘maybe’ or ‘reported’ with relation to Kirk and Spock, since we know it is about Kirk and Spock. However Paramount, JJ Abrams and his team have never confirmed anything about the plot or characters. The closest they got is perhaps the teaser poster that features the Kirk and Spock uniform colors and textures, but it is not ‘official.’

Now that the film is a go, the casting (and therefore the casting rumors) can begin in earnest. IGN is reporting that Paramount are in talks with Matt Damon, Adrian Brody and Gary Sinise to play ‘the big 3’ of Kirk, Spock and McCoy in Star Trek XI. Damon’s name was first mentioned last July when Marc Malkin of the Insider reported that Abrams was interested in the Oscar winner for James Kirk. Late last year Damon said he had not been approached, but would be interested if he liked the script. Brody and Sinise’s names have been suggested by many fans, but there had not previously beeny any reports connecting the actors to the production. IGN didn’t just stop with the big 3, they are also reporting that there may indeed be truth to the reports of James McAvoy playing Scotty and even threw in the name of Lost’s Daniel Dae Kim for Sulu. The IGN report also states that Damon’s talks are the farthest along.

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.

Zachary Quinto, who plays the villain Sylar on the hit show ‘Heroes’ wants to be the new Spock. In an interview with the Pittsburg Post Gazette Quinto says "I missed the ‘Superman Returns’ boat, so I’m angling for ‘Star Trek.’ People are constantly telling me I bear some resemblance to Leonard Nimoy." He also joked about how he would get Heroes co-star (and Abrams best friend) Greg Grunberg to get him an in with the producer of Trek XI: "Maybe Sylar should tell Greg, ‘I promise I won’t kill you if you get me an audition,’ …We’ll see what happens." So add his name to the long list of those who want to be in Trek XI. If Abrams doesn’t opt for big name stars for Kirk and Spock he could do worse than Quinto. (thanks to Steve M. for sending in a Quinto/Spock photoshop image)