Urban up for Bones role in Star Trek

JOHN SELKIRK/Dominion Post

DAMMIT JIM: Hunky Kiwi actor Karl Urban is up for the of part cranky, Southern doctor 'Bones' McCoy in the new Star Trek film.

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Kiwi actor Karl Urban is reportedly in talks to play Dr Leonard 'Bones' McCoy in Lost creator JJ Abrams' new Star Trek movie.

Website The Trek Movie Report says that the Lord of the Rings star is in negotiations to play the starship Enterprise's chief medical officer, a role which one of the film's co-writers, Roberto Orci, has confirmed is a substantial part.

Urban has already worked with Orci and his co-writer Alex Kurtzman on the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess, with Orci endorsing his acting ability.

But according to a source, Urban's involvement with the film is not yet certain, due to a possible scheduleling conflict. Urban is currently busy filming the movie Black Water Transit, as well as being attached to another movie presently pre-production.

Two weeks ago, Urban was rumoured to be attached to the project, possibly playing the film's villain. Since then, Australian actor Eric Bana has been cast as the film's main villain, Nero.

Dr McCoy was played in the original Star Trek series and six movies by DeForest Kelley, who died of stomach cancer in 1999.

Already attached to the film are Heroes star Zachary Quinto as Spock, Shaun of the Dead's Simon Pegg as Scotty, Harold and Kumar star John Cho as Sulu, Zoe Saldana as Uhura andAnton Yelchin as Chekov.

There are also reports of Just My Luck actor Chris Pine in negotiations for the role of a young Captain Kirk.

- © Fairfax NZ News