Eric Bana will play villain Nero in Paramount Pictures’ Star Trek, to be directed by J.J. Abrams (Mission: Impossible III, “Lost,” “Alias”), reports Variety.
Anton Yelchin, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Leonard Nimoy have already boarded the USS Enterprise. Casting is under way in New York and London, and Abrams had been expected to pursue bigger-name actors for the roles of the villain and the Federation captain, the latter of which remains unfilled.
The studio still needs to cast several other major parts before the November start date, including a young James T. Kirk and Scotty.
Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci wrote the screenplay and will executive produce along with Bryan Burk and Damon Lindelof.
Star Trek hits theaters on Christmas Day 2008.
