RETURN TO STARFLEET ACADEMY AND SEE THE NEW FACES TAKING OVER FAMILIAR ROLES AS THE CREW OF THE USS ENTERPRISE RETURNS TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN IN ‘STAR TREK’
'Star Trek': Warp speed to the beginning
In the more than 40 years since its five-year mission began, the Enterprise crew has been through it all: they’ve had troubles with tribbles, borrowed heavily from Shakespeare and suffered the wrath of Khan. They searched for Spock and looked for God.
They’ve loved, lost, fought, died and passed the torch to a new generation.
Now, for the 11th voyage coming to the big screen Friday, we’re transported back in time to where it all began—Starfleet Academy. The simply titled prequel, “Star Trek,” is the story of a talented but angry young man named James Tiberius Kirk who will learn to channel his energies with the help of an instructor named Spock and his fellow students (and future crew) Bones, Uhura, Sulu, Scotty and Chekov.
Here’s a refresher course before you head to Starfleet Academy.
James T. Kirk
The handsome captain has a girl in every galaxy, but is married to his ship.
Original star: William Shatner A classically trained actor who appeared at the nearby Stratford Festival, Shatner also worked on such TV shows as “The Twilight Zone.” He played Kirk in seven “Trek” films, directing one. Post- “Trek,” he starred on TV in “T. J. Hooker,” later re-energizing his career with Priceline commercials and his Emmy-winning role on “Boston Legal.”
New star: Chris Pine
Where you’ve seen him: Pine’s piercing eyes and good looks make him difficult to forget, whether he’s dashing prince material in “Princess Diaries 2” or a klutz hiding behind big glasses in “Just My Luck.”
Nyota Uhura
The loyal, reliable and technically proficient communications officer displayed quite a lovely singing voice on occasion.
Original: Nichelle Nichols
A talented singer who performed with the Duke Ellington Band, she also appeared on stage. Post-“Trek,” she continued singing and acting, including six “Trek” movies. She has also worked for NASA recruiting women and minorities.
New: Zoe Saldana
Where you’ve seen her: This trained dancer, who had her big break in the film, “Center Stage,” may be best known for her work as Anamaria in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.”
Spock
Half-Vulcan, half-human, he was the most logical first officer though he sometimes battled his human emotions.
Original: Leonard Nimoy
Nimoy starred in more than 50 TV shows and movies before Spock. A poet, musician, writer and director, he has continued acting and doing voice work, starring in six “Star Trek” movies, directing two (as well as other features such as “Three Men and a Baby”). Look for him in the new “Trek” movie.
New: Zachary Quinto
Where you’ve seen him: Quinto may be the most recognizable young star of the new cast, thanks to his delectably evil role as Sylar on the NBC sci-fiseries, “Heroes.”
Hikaru Sulu
This trustworthy helmsman had a serene, respectful nature.
Original: George Takei
He had quite a TV resume before “Trek.” Later, he starred in six “Trek” films, has appeared in TV movies and done much voice-over work. Most recently, he’s been seen as Kaito Nakamura on “Heroes” and his distinctive voice was heard in two episodes of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Takei is a fan-favorite at conventions and is in the news as a community activist.
New: John Cho
Where you’ve seen him: Cho has a relatively lengthy resume for his years with TV and movie appearances. He played Harold in the “Harold & Kumar” movies and has appeared in multiple episodes of “Ugly Betty.”
Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy
The chief medical officer was a bit cranky, but still a Southern gentleman.
Original: DeForest Kelley.
He worked in theater and had film bit parts before serving in World War II. Later, he starred in Westerns (often playing the heavy), then appeared in two Gene Roddenberry TV pilots. The third time was the charm with “Star Trek.” He starred in six “Trek” movies and died in 1999.
New: Karl Urban
Where you’ve seen him: Give him a long blond wig and battle armor and you’ll recognize him as the valiant warrior Eomer of Rohan in two of “The Lord of the Rings” movies. Urban also proved his mettle in such action films as “Doom,” “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Chronicles of Riddick.”
Pavel Andreievich Chekov
Introduced in the second season, the navigator was equal parts naive and hothead.
Original: Walter Koenig
The actor, screenwriter, novelist and director was reportedly hired to play Chekov because of his resemblance to teen heartthrob Davey Jones of the Monkees. He appeared in seven “Trek” movies. His best-known post-“Trek” work was a recurring role on “Babylon 5.”
New: Anton Yelchin
Where you’ve seen him: He’s known for the title role in “Charlie Bartlett,” yet this Russian-born 20-year-old has been acting since age 9, appearing in TV shows like “Huff” and the movie “Hearts in Atlantis.” Next up: He plays Kyle Reese in “Terminator Salvation”.
Montgomery “Scotty” Scott
The chief engineer was a feisty Scotsman with a penchant for being a miracle worker.
Original: James Doohan
Doohan was so busy working in radio, TV and movies that he was once dubbed the busiest actor in Canada. After the series, he starred in seven “Trek” movies and spoke on the college lecture circuit and fan conventions. He died in 2005.
New: Simon Pegg
Where you’ve seen him: This funny Brit and self-proclaimed geek keeps ’em laughing in such cult hits as “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz.”
On the tube
“Star Trek” (the original series, 1966-69) “ST: The Animated Series” (1973-74) “ST: The Next Generation” (1987-94) “ST: Deep Space Nine” (1993-99) “ST: Voyager” (1995-2001) “ST: Enterprise” (2001-05)
The big screen
“Star Trek: The Motion Picture” (1979) “ST II: The Wrath of Kahn” (1982) “ST III: The Search for Spock” (1984) “ST IV: The Voyage Home” (1986) “ST V: The Final Frontier” (1989) “ST VI: The Undiscovered Country” (1991) “ST: Generations” (1994) “ST: First Contact” (1996) “ST: Insurrection” (1998) “ST: Nemesis” (2002) “Star Trek” (2009)
A few original facts:
• Contrary to popular belief, the often-quoted “Beam me up, Scotty” was not uttered by Kirk.
• Leonard Nimoy created the famous Vulcan salute, when he based it on a traditional Jewish gesture.
• The first interracial kiss on a U. S. TV series was between a toga-wearing Kirk and Uhura.
• Sulu and Uhura didn’t have first names in the series.
• Boo! A William Shatner mask is worn by the killer Michael Myers in the “Halloween” movies.
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