Yelchin sets course for "Trek"

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-08-08 17:37

LOS ANGELES - Director J.J. Abrams is putting together his bridge crew for the 11th film in the "Star Trek" franchise.

Anton Yelchin, whose recent credits include "Alpha Dog," is in negotiations to play Pavel Chekov, the Russian-born navigator of the USS Enterprise under the command of James T. Kirk.

Yelchin, similarly Russian-born, will join Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy, who will both play the role of Mr. Spock. Casting is under way in New York and London for Kirk, Bones, Uhura, Sulu, Scotty, the film's villain and the Federation captain. Abrams is expected to sign bigger-name actors for the latter two parts.

Plot details for the untitled Paramount film are being kept under wraps, but the story line is believed to chronicle the early days of the Enterprise crew during their time at Starfleet Academy. The film is scheduled to bow on Christmas Day 2008.

Chekov was played by Walter Koenig on the original "Star Trek" TV series, and he is a key member of the Enterprise crew.