IGN: Star Trek XI casting

[Dr Mordrid]

IGN Movies cites studio sources;

Series reboot like Batman Begins.

Filming starts this summer.

Release Christmas 2008.

Director: J. J. Abrams (Alias, Lost etc.)

Casting (offered or in talks):

Capt. James T. Kirk: Matt Damon
Science Officer Spock: Adrien Brody
Dr. Leonard McCoy: Gary Sinise
Engineer Montgomery Scott: James McAvoy
Helmsman Hikaru Sulu: Daniel Dae Kim

[az]

Gary Sinise has the perfect face to play Bones, and I could see Matt Damon as Kirk (though I don't think that's perfect), but that Beau as Scottie? Adrien Brody as Spock... I don't know either.

[Dr Mordrid]

McAvoy at least has the advantage of being a real Scot.

In my mind Spock requires someone with an distinctive facial structure, is tall and lanky. Brody has those being 6' 1" and "unusual" looking in spades

[az]

I never realized Brody was that tall. He still doesn't look... I don't know. Maybe it's just that nobody could be suited as good to Spock as Nimoy was.

[Dr Mordrid]

Trivia: Kim played an officer on Enterprise, making him the most experienced in the franchise. He also won a Screen Actors Guild award for his role in "Lost".



Sinese is just great. He has intensity in 55 gallon drums.

[KRSESQ]

James McAvoy seems a bit young to play Scotty. He should be closer to McCoy's age. In that respect, Sinese is a good choice.

Brody has a bit of a shnoz on him, but then so does Nimoy.

Kevin

[Dr Mordrid]

Not to mention the highest upper lip in Hollywood

[WxDude]

I saw a tribute to DeForest Kelley on one or the Star Trek Movie DVD's that included
clips from some of his work before the original series. In some of the shots, he was
a dead ringer for Gary Sinise. It was rather scary how much they resembled each
other.

- Mike

[Dr Mordrid]

The poster indicates the uniforms will be similar, but I wonder if Enterprise will be. I'm thinking they'll go with the more industrial look of the Enterprise E and Enterprise NX-01.

[KRSESQ]

They'll want to be VERY careful how much they tamper with established conventions regarding their shipboard sets. Trekkies are VERY sensitive about the look of the original "Big E." They need to be faithful to the series but also make allowances for modern filmmaking techniques, AND retro the appearance just enough to make it look more modern than it did in the first pilot, but LESS modern than it did in the second!

I'm not sure I envy the set designer! How do you top Matt Jeffries' original work??

Kevin

[Jessterw]

Obviously they're going to have to worry about the Trekkies, but if it's truly a series reboot (like Batman Begins), they should have some leeway to give it all a slightly different look and feel.

Yes, blasphemous I know, but it's what the franchise needs - especially if it's pulled off right. I do agree though, I wouldn't envy anyone involved.

[Dr Mordrid]

Trekkers are open to change if it's done right.

I remember how cool the Enterprise looked in the first movie due the higher level of detail in the model. All during Kirks ride around the ship in dry dock they were ooohh'ing and aaahhhh'ing.

Then at the end of Voyage Home came the Enterprise A with its 50's radiator style nacelles and redesigned deflector array. Some people thought the trekkers would hate them, but not so; they accepted them.

Since then Enterprise D and E have shown that it's the overall layout not the details.

[Gurm]

Don't call them Trekkers. It's irritating:

http://www.reallifecomics.com/archive/070112.html

[KRSESQ]

Agreed.

Kevin