I know, everyone who writes about this will use that line, but now it’s out of my system and I can focus on the news: Winona Ryder is the latest addition to J.J. Abrams‘ Star Trek
movie. Ryder will play Amanda Grayson, Spock’s mother. Although Ryder would make a gorgeous Vulcan, her character is human – the one responsible for Spock’s seldom-seen emotional side. Jane Wyatt had the role in the original series and in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
The weekend also brought confirmation that Jennifer Morrison, Dr. Cameron from House, is in Trek. Although her role hasn’t been announced, speculation is that she will play Carol Marcus, Kirk’s lover and mother of his child, David Marcus. (Even though William Shatner doesn’t play Kirk in the movie, my mind went to an image of Shatner and Morrison, and may I just say, “ew.”) Bibi Besch was the original Carol Marcus. I completely missed reports last week that Rachel Nichols has joined the Trek movie as well. Nichols, you’ll recall, was the very hot Rachel Gibson in the last season of Alias. She’s currently starring in the just-opened thriller P2. Hercules at Ain’t It Cool News thinks that Nichols will play Yeoman Janice Rand – an important character in the early days of Star Trek. Since neither Morrison’s nor Nichols’ role has been announced, though, other sources speculate that Morrison will, in fact, play Rand. IESB.net published pictures to confirm that opinion – here’s Morrison as Dr. Cameron; Morrison as photographed on the Trek
set; and the original Janice Rand, played by Grace Lee Whitney. Of course, other female roles have yet to be cast, so Morrison and Nichols could be any of those as well. Here’s a list of possible parts, according to trekmovie.com.
- Number One (Captain Pike’s First Officer)
- Carol Marcus
- Ruth (another old flame of Kirk)
- Nurse Christine Chapel
- Yeoman Rand
- Kirk’s mother
- …or someone else entirely
Star Trek: The Original Series to theaters nationwide this Tuesday and Thursday (Nov. 13 and 15). Parts 1 and 2 of “The Menagerie” have been digitally re-mastered in HD with surround sound and feature a greeting from Gene Roddenberry‘s son, Rod, plus a behind-the-scenes peek at how the episodes were digitized from the original negatives. Is that cool or what? To find the showing closest to you, see the complete list here.
Oh, and if the mention of Ryder reminds you, as it does me, of her Friends episode, “The One With Rachel’s Big Kiss,” you can see Winona and Jennifer play lesbian this Wednesday night on the CW (check your local listings). Or if you just want to cut to the chase, here’s the best part:
What do you think of these new casting developments for Star Trek? Any thoughts on what parts Morrison and Nichols should play? In the movie, I mean. No need to share those other role-playing thoughts.
