It has been announced that Russian-born actor Anton Yelchin (TV's Huff) will play Pavel Chekov in J.J Abrams' upcoming Star Trek prequel movie, due for release 25 December 2008.
Of course, this creates a bit of a nitpick, because Chekov was not part of the Original Series' cast, only joining the show in season 2. And believe me, this discontinuity will keep Trekkers up all night...
More amusing is a rumour that writer-director Abrams wants an A-list Hollywood actor to cameo in the film, and fingers are pointing in Tom Cruise's direction. Of course, Abrams directed Cruise in Mission: Impossible III and the pair are now firm friends.
Internet speculation suggests Cruise is being asked to play Christopher Pike, the Captain of the U.S.S Enterprise before James T. Kirk took over. Fans will remember Pike from Star Trek's unaired pilot The Cage.
