The re-casting of an established franchise will always generate a lot of interest… doesn’t matter if we’re talking about Bond, a young Darth Vader, an updated Jack Ryan… or even casting for an established franchise in another medium (ie. comic book movies). When we feel like we already know the characters, we develop more of a vested interest in who the “new” person will be to take that character over… and it’s no less true for the new Star Trek.
We already know that both Leonard Nimoy and Heroes Zachary Quinto will both be playing Mr. Spock (at different ages), and it appears they’ve now landed their Pavel Chekov. Yahoo News gives us this:
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.
Whooaaa…. this dude is YOUNG. I actually though this guy did a respectable job in Alpha Dog, so talent isn’t an issue here… I just didn’t realize they were going to go THAT young. Anton is like 18 years old.
Granted, in the show Chekov is supposed to be younger than Kirk anyway, but I guess this took me a little by surprise. Upon further reflection, I guess it does make sense… but still… 18. Wow.
