Okay, here's the thing: I only had time to list the cast the other day, so I will now add some log-lines and summaries of the new cast and why I cast them in this particular story. First, I will proceed with the cast, and then I will list episode ideas. Again, I welcome any and all episode ideas.
Matt Damon as Kirk:
The actor who plays Kirk must possess some very specific qualities. He has to be young, (mid-30's) in great physical condition, and have the gravitas and intelligence to command a ship with of over 400 men and women. Damon's got that in spades!
Zachary Quinto as Spock:
What can be said about this one that hasn't already been said? Facially, he does bear a striking resemblance to a young Leonard Nimoy; but more importantly, he is extremely convincing as a mysterious outsider with powers beyond those around him. As the mysterious Sylar, he has a sense of strangeness about him which translates well to a sense of otherworldiness needed to play Spock. In a word, it's... Logical.
Gary Sinise as McCoy:
McCoy, being older and wiser than Kirk and Spock, has a passion for life that seems to be an innate quality in Mr. Sinise. He was also damned convincing as an astronaut, southerner, and military veteran. Plus, he looks cool in a lab coat! how many people can say that?
Alan Cumming as Scottie:
This one is so perfect, it's hard to summarize in a few sentences. Not only does he look a hell of a lot like Doohan, he also has a Scottish accent that is STRIKINGLY similar to the one James doohan used in the original show and subsequent movies, he's about the same age as Scottie was in '66, and most importantly, he's the same kind of actor as Doohan was. These are often referred to as "character actors." They are able to pull off almost anything; including limps, accents, masks, prosthetics, etc. Cumming is one such actor. Whether he's in X2, Tin Man, Cabaret, or the many other films and plays under his belt; He blends in seamlessly. He fits this part like a glove.
Beyonce Knowles as Uhura:
Like James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols is a very special actress. She can sing, dance, and act. Whether she's on stage, on TV, or in film; she works it, and good! Ms. Knowles is a logical successor for her comparability in these talents, as well as looking a bit like Miss Nichols. She can more than hold her own among a talented ensemble as seen in DreamGirls, with a presence that is both distinctive and consistent. The very same thing can be said about Nichols. What more could anyone ask?
Kelvin Yu as Sulu:
Perhaps the thinnest character on paper, this should be the easiest one to cast. Sulu has precious few character-defining moments, so several candidates could probably carry this one off. Kelvin Yu is my choice because he, like several members of my dream cast, can hold his own in an ensemble cast, (Grandma's Boy) as well as being comfortable with special effects. (Cloverfield) And as an added bonus, he does look a bit like a young George Takei.
Trevor Fehrman as Chekov:
Here is another character actor who has a lot of big things ahead of him. I have no doubt he can do a Russian accent, as well as being a great person for the kids to relate to. Our young chekov never had much screen time, so Fehrman is a good choice for layering and deepening the character.
Tricia Helfer as Chapel:
Who better to play Dr. McCoy's tall, sexy, blonde, leggy assistant than a tall, sexy, blonde, leggy chick whom we know is well-versed in the mechanics of making a science fiction show? Besides, with McCoy's gruff bedside manner, with Helfer in the sick bay, crewmen might actually show up for thier physicals!
Hayden Panettiere as Rand:
In the original, Rand was actually older than Kirk, but I want to give Chekov another young person to play off of, and maybe even provide some romantic sparks. Like others in this cast, she's good in science fiction, and blends into an amazing ensemble cast; both elements definitely necessary for the part of everybody's favorite yeoman.
Ben Browder as Pike:
There are 12 Constellation-class starships in the fleet, so the captains of those ships would probably be pretty well known. As someone familiar to fans of this genre, it's not a stretch to see Browder as a starship captain.
Christopher Eccleston as Sarek:
As the Vulcan ambassador to the Federation, Sarek would be familiar to the citizens of the Federation, and by extension, the viewer. Eccleston fits the bill, having some pretty impressive scifi credits under his belt. It doesn't hurt that he looks like Mark Lenard in the original series, either. Put the ears on him, and he would be instantly recognizable. It's logical.
Nestor Carbonell as Kahn:
I always wondered why an Indian Sikh warrior was played by Ricardo Montalban, but hey; that's how it happened, so... Anyway, Carbonell plays a great villain in Lost, which is yet another science fiction show with an ensemble cast. This one seems simple enough.
Ricky Gervais as Harry Mudd:
His over-the-top energy is perfect to play everyone's favorite con man. He counterpoints the dramatic nature of the show quite nicely. If he can consistently do an American "accent," he's got it!
Jack Black as Cyrano Jones:
With his bombastic personality, he's the perfect choice to visit the horror of the tribbles onto the Enterprise.
Chow Yun-Fat as Koloth:
Since Pirates 3: At World's End, I have been convinced Chow Yun-Fat would make a damn convincing Klingon while adding some much-needed gravitas to the Klingon Empire.
And now for the episodes:
1: An explosion in the engine room kills and injures several of Scottie's men. If repairs are not affected in time, the ship will be destroyed. Scottie and a few unqualified crewmen must win a race against time; meanwhile, McCoy and Chapel switch into triage-mode to save several of the ship's most experienced and valuable officers.
2: (two-parter) pt.1: Balance of Terror.
pt.2: Mr. Spock becomes the target of a witch-hunt and is accused of being a Romulan Spy. A special tribunal is convened and evidence is presented which is obviously fabricated. Kirk must prove the evidence is falsified and clear Spock's name lest he be convicted of treason.
3: The Enterprise docks at a starbase to pick up a load of quadrotriticale for delivery to a Federation colony. While there, a group of Klingons are granted shore leave on the base. Amid the chaos, a con man called Cyrano Jones introduces the crew to the Tribbles. The Tribbles overrun the ship and eat the entire load of grain... Then people start to disappear.
4: The Enterprise is ordered to execute a recon mission when Federation intelligenge reports indicate the Klingons are conducting genetic experiments on a secret base. They discover that the experiments are being conducted in a Mangala-esque lab and that the Klingons are experimenting with eugenics. Kirk must disable the base's defenses, destroy the base, and make it back in one piece.
5: The Klingons sign a non-agression pact with the Romulans and the two empires begin to share technology. With War loomin just over the horizon, The combined forces target a starbase which contains a classified piece of technology. The Enterprise is docked at that starbase undergoing a routine computer refit. The station is taken by surprise and boarded with a compliment of Klingon and Romulan troops. With systems down on the ship and reinforcements 12 hours away, the Federation personell and our valiant crew must hold off the enemy force until backup can arrive.
6: The Enterprise is called in to transport a medical team to a Federation colony where a highly-virulent plague has broken out. The team is headed by Dr. McCoy's father, David. The Dr. and his father have not spoken since McCoy's mother's death a decade ago. The two must put aside thier diferences when the team fails to synthesize an adequate vaccine and McCoy's expertise in exotic viruses is needed.
(*NOTE: McCoy blames his father for his mother's death. David "pulled the plug" on his wife, a decision which McCoy strongly opposed. After the two work things out, McCoy promises to change his convictions if his father wished it so.*)
MORE TO COME
