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Things are apparently moving forward quickly with Star Trek XI -- IESB.net is reporting that at the L.A. junket for Transformers, screenwriter Roberto Orci told the roundtablers to expect some major announcements (presumably about casting) at this year's ComicCon. He said the casting process is going on right now, and that some significant decisions are going to be made soon. He also told the journalists that the film is scheduled to begin shooting in November. Up to now, there has been nothing more than educated (and uneducated) guesses about who could possibly lead this thing. Names that have been bandied about include Matt Damon, Gary Sinise, Jennifer Garner and James McAvoy, but nothing solid has developed.

The only credible info we have on the project is that it's being produced and directed by J.J. Abrams, written by Orci and Alex Kurtzman and will feature a storyline that revolves around the early days of James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock. We also know that it's going to be less geared toward traditional Star Trek fans than the previous film series and more towards a general, 'non-Trekker' audience. Paramount apparently has no qualms about this, given the lackluster box-office for the recent Star Trek films. The film has a tentative release date of Christmas Day, 2008. Finally, there's also been a persistent rumor that the title they want to go with is, simply, Star Trek.

Before I begin, I must warn you that this is only "inside scoop" and, so far, is not fact. I will say that IGN usually has some pretty good sources (although their sources, as well as Latino Review's, once backed a rumor that J.J. Abrams was not directing Trek XI ... which was later debunked by IGN and, eventually, turned out to be false). With that said, those IGN folks now claim to have the scoop on who the current frontrunners are for the roles of young Kirk, young Spock, young McCoy and young Sulu in Star Trek XI -- and, I must say, it is indeed an interesting list.

Contrary to what Matt Damon (or his people) have been saying, IGN tells us the actor is "indeed in talks with Paramount about playing the role of Jim Kirk." Not only that, but Adrien Brody (King Kong) is being looked at for the long-faced Mr. Spock, while Gary Sinise might be stepping into Dr. McCoy's shoes. Taking over for George Takei, IGN has learned that Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) is being eyed for the part. Wow ... that's a lot to take in. But, honestly, it all makes sense. I've already warmed up to the Damon idea, and think he would make for a perfect Kirk. Gary Sinise is a wonderful character actor, and could definitely play a convincing McCoy. Brody? Well ... that's a tough one; he certainly looks the part, but does he have what it takes to own it? Seeing as I am far from a master of all things Trek, I'll let you Trekkies (or Trekkers) take over here. Is this potential cast a tad too Hollywood-ized for you? Would you be happier with a lesser known group of actors? Thoughts? Concerns?