'STXI' Casting Rumors: Kirk & Scotty Front-runners?
The latest buzz on the Star Trek flick is probably true, because most people have never HEARD of these guys.
In an "IESB Exclusive," Robert Sanchez passes on film industry whisperings that say new Star Trek helmer J.J. Abrams has his sights on a captain for his Enterprise.
28-year-old Mike Vogel (Poseidon) is reportedly Abrams' first choice to play young James T. Kirk in Star Trek XI.
Neither Paramount Studios nor Vogel's agency would comment, but Sanchez has gathered corroboration from two "studio insiders."
Almost simultaneously, Trekmovie.com's Anthony Pascale has added the name of Paul McGillion (Stargate Atlantis) to the list of contenders for the role of the Enterprise's Scottish Engineer, Montgomery Scott.
The 38-year-old Scotland-born actor, who recently auditioned in L.A., even has the endorsement of Scotty, Jr.
Chris Doohan, son of the late James Doohan, submitted a note of support. "I think Paul McGillion is a GREAT choice for the role of Scotty. He has a great accent and I think that he actually looks like my father."
"Obviously it would be a great honor to follow in James Doohan’s footsteps," said McGillion by way of comment.
Peter Sciretta of Slashfilm.com has posted that he is not disappointed by the mention of Vogel or McGillion, but that he was hoping for some actors with more box office mojo.
"Remember when the rumors had Matt Damon as Kirk?" Sciretta asked rhetorically. "Now we’re all of a sudden talking about the guy from Supercross? What happened?!"
This writer's short-form response is: Should the Salkinds have passed on Chris Reeve in favor of putting Warren Beatty, Robert Redford or Sly Stallone in tights?
So far, actors confirmed as cast are:
Leonard Nimoy as Spock
Zachary Quinto as (Young) Spock
Zoe Saldana as Uhura
Anton Yelchin as Chekov
At last report, William Shatner was still out in the cold. But it is also very cold in space...