[foot-loose]

I know there are some sci-fi / Simon Pegg fans on here, so thought this might be appreciated...

Hot Fuzz star Simon Pegg is poised to play Scotty in the new Star Trek movie.
The British comic has been offered the role of the chief engineer, played by James Doohan in the classic TV series, his manager has told the BBC.

The film, directed by Lost creator JJ Abrams, focuses on the early lives of Captain James T Kirk and Mr Spock.

Star Trek's 11th big screen outing also stars Eric Bana, Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy, and filming is due to start next month.

Screen success

US actor Chris Pine is in talks to play the young Captain Kirk, trade publication Variety has reported. Bana will play Nero, and original Spock Nimoy has a cameo role.

The film will show the crew meeting at the Starfleet Academy and embarking on their first mission.

Pegg, 37, found fame in TV comedy Spaced and went on to find big screen success by writing and starring in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

His other films include Run Fat Boy Run and the forthcoming How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.

Abrams and Pegg previously worked together on Mission: Impossible III, starring Tom Cruise.

[SAV1OUR]

Seems to be competing with Ben Stiller for cinema's golden boy. Not into trekkie but I think there will be loads who will like what he can bring to a cult viewing audience.

[Sistermoon]

Think I have a vague recollection about this movie going to be made. Will be all the better for having him in it!

[Adam]

Well done to Simon Pegg. He's in with the hollywood lot, so no one wonder he's getting a lot of the good gigs.

[kendra k]

simon pegg is the new scottie? this is cooler than quinto as spock.

[Longview01]

I know there are some sci-fi / Simon Pegg fans on here, so thought this might be appreciated...

[b]Pegg, 37, found fame in TV comedy Spaced and went on to find big screen success by writing and starring in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz

This is clearly wrong, I dont know who types these things but they never seem to have their facts right.

Pegg found fame in Big Train and went on to write spaced while also appearing in show like Brass Eye, I'm Alan Partridge and Hippies.

Its not really different but it makes me happy to slightly correct it lol

[Yudster]

Is the new Star Trek movie going to be a spoof then? I won't watch it either way, I don't like spoofs and I've never been into the Star Trek movies (although I like the TV series, except the original and Enterprise), but I can't imagine it being played for anything but comedy if Simon Pegg is involved.

[foot-loose]

Dont think so, but Scotty always brought a bit of comedy to the role.

[markool89]

wasnt "scotty" named that name because hes a scottish person? why cast an english person then?

[kendra k]

i agree. the whole point of scotty is to add some levity. i'm not sure the new star trek will be any good, but the franchise has been somewhat run into the ground in the past decade (enterprise? please.), and i hope it doesn't stay a joke.

[Console]

wasnt "scotty" named that name because hes a scottish person?

No, his last name was Scott.

[markool89]

but the original person playing was scottish

[Console]

No, he was Irish/Canadian.

[Andy B]

but the original person playing was scottish

James Doohan was Canadian. It's an accent. They wanted to include people of all nationalities (apart from russian and iraq) to show how in the future we all get along and are really nice to each other.

They chose Scottish because it had a more distinct accent.

Montgomery Scott was so called because Montgomery was James Doohan's middle name apparently.

I REALLY need to get out more.

[kendra k]

They wanted to include people of all nationalities (apart from russian and iraq) to show how in the future we all get along and are really nice to each other.

russia, i understand, but iraq? seriously? back then?

[Andy B]

*humour*

[kendra k]

really? where?

[Andy B]

It link's back to an old Joke, Saddam is in the UN building when he bumps into the American Representative and says to him, "I like your star trek programme, but why are there no Iraqi's on board the Enterprise"

to which the American Ambassador replies.....

"Star Trek is set in the Future"

Well I thougt it was funny when I heard it.

[kendra k]

ahh, i've never heard that joke before. it's a decent joke, i'll give you that.

have i dethroned topher yet?

[Yudster]

They wanted to include people of all nationalities (apart from russian and iraq) to show how in the future we all get along and are really nice to each other.

russia, i understand, but iraq? seriously? back then?

There was a Russian in the original series - no-one but me remember Chekov?

[S4B]

I remember Chekov, he pushed all the buttons to get them to warp drive!

[Andy B]

*sidestepping*

Well there's definatley no Iraqis on it though...

[foot-loose]

Ahhh Chekov and his Nuclear Wessles.

[Yudster]

Yess Kepten!