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December 2007
STAR TREK casting news

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STAR TREK casting news
Tyler Perry to be featured in new film as head of Starfleet Academy


Source: UGO -

December 30, 2007

Talk about a casting coup! When Zoe Saldana, who's a fine actress and Latina, was cast to play Uhuru, which was originally played by African American Nichelle Nichols, in the new Star Trek film directed by JJ Abrams, I'm sure some folks may have been upset with that choice and wondered if there would be any Blacks in the film. Well, low and behold, of all the marketing moves the producers could have done to insure that the African American market was represented, they have the cast one of the hottest movers and shakers in the media world to appear in the film, Tyler Perry.

That's right - Tyler Perry. According to the website UGO, they are reporting that Perry, who has never appeared in a film that he didn't write, direct, or produce, will be featured in the film as the head of Starfleet Academy, and in a human form, instead of looking like some alien. Tyler's character is overseeing some kind of Starfleet courtroom/ assembly event where young Kirk is facing expulsion from Starfleet.

That's all you need. Explanations are not needed to tell what Perry brings to the table. His last film, 'Why Did I Get Married?', was #1 at the box office during its opening weekend and has amassed over $50 million dollars so far at the gate. His other films 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman', Madea's Family Reunion', and Daddy's Little Girls' also did well at the box office.

While color shouldn't play a factor in the new Star Trek film, and it has never been the case in the previous films, Perry's addition to the film, although a small role, is still the biggest name thus far with the exception of original member Leonard Nimoy, who will reprise his role as the older Spock. Unless you happen to be an avid film goer, names like Chris Pine, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, and Anton Yelchin, who make up the core of the cast, aren't exactly household names. Zachary Quinto, who will play the younger Spock, is currently on the NBC's Heroes but hasn't made his mark in the film world yet; and Saldana, who's been in 'Drumline', and 'Guess Who?' is starting to break out with upcoming roles in this film and James Cameron's 'Avatar'.

Although the new film will surely have its fanbase already on the boat ready to set sail to see this, Perry's inclusion will be big boost to the box office and hopefully introduce a new generation to the long living and prosperous franchise.

 


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