Damon Says Trek Is Looking For Younger Kirk

Damon, known for a variety of projects but rarely any of them science-fiction, told the IGN Web site (courtesy of TrekWeb) that he had talked with "Star Trek XI" director J.J. Abrams about the persistent rumors about being cast in the movie, and got an idea of what exactly Abrams is looking for.

"I know that J.J. is directing it and I talked to J.J. and said, 'What's the deal?'" Damon said. "He's like, 'No, the Kirk in my movie is much younger. It's like the early years.' So I think he is hiring probably like a 20-year-old actor or something, so no, it's just an Internet rumor."

Damon, however, isn't sad about all the attention and excitement he had been getting over the Kirk rumors, and said he was happy when the original Capt. Kirk himself chimed in.

"I saw William Shatner commented on it which I thought was great," Damon said. "He said, 'I think he would make a good Capt. Kirk,' which I thought was really cool."

"Star Trek XI," which some producers and writers say will simply be titled "Star Trek," is in pre-production. The main cast is expected to be announced at Comic-Con this coming week, and it's likely going to be actors that have not been previously rumored, according to some source reports.

Filming is set to begin in November, aiming for a Dec. 25, 2008 release.

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