Rumors that Jack Black was headed to the next Star Trek movie as stellar con man Harry Mudd were dismissed by director J.J. Abrams Tuesday.Harcourt Fenton Mudd was originally played by Roger C. Carmel (right) in Trek's 1960s series. Whether hustling beauty drugs or androids, Mudd was always looking for a quick space buck and was a humorous thorn in Captain Kirk's side.
While some sites suggested Mudd's would-be return in Abrams' next movie could prove a great opportunity for Jack Black to come aboard the Enterprise, Abrams denied the Black casting move.
However, Abrams did confirm that they're talking to Black about playing some role in the next movie -- news that might not sit well with every Star Trek fan worried that Abrams seems prone to treat Trek as a bit of a joke (regardless of box office success).
Fans better get used to this sort of casting furor. As another Trek movie approaches, every even remotely entertainment-themed website will throw names out there for different parts. I'll start one here: Rosie O'Donnell to play the Horta -- without make-up.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-11-2009 @ 6:36AM
Toby O'B said...
I just hope they don't turn to doing a 'Space Seed' Khan reboot; 'The Wrath Of Khan' was the perfect coda to that story, even if it is set in another reality now.
I'd like to see them revisit the story of "Charlie X". But maybe go the 'BSG'/Starbuck route and have young Charlie be a girl this time.
And for the casting rumor mill: Ellen Page!
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6-11-2009 @ 7:26AM
Jason said...
Jack Black could play one of the whales in the ST4 reboot. :)
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6-11-2009 @ 8:04AM
CRVBOY said...
If Jack Black goes anywhere near the next Star Trek movie, I won't be going.
Him, Will Farrell and Greg Grungeburg need to just go away.
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6-11-2009 @ 8:07AM
D said...
Humor is one of the great aspects of Trek so I'm all for it as long as it doesn't make fun of Trek itself or turn it into a joke.Abrams can't be stupid enough to tick off a major portion of the fan base by making a movie that ridicules ST,it's fans or it's stories.I'd love to see Harry Mudd reappear and be funny but not be funny in a stupid way.Smart humor mixed in would make for a good story basis but a funny Trek movie is what you do for the 4th or 5th movie to ramp up interest.
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6-11-2009 @ 8:42AM
TheYellowDart said...
Two words RE: Harry Mudd -
Nick Frost.
Please, Abrams... make this happen.
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6-11-2009 @ 9:36PM
RobynM said...
Oooh....you've got something there.