Star Trek has had a long and colorful history. The original series has spawned 10 films, four spin-off TV series and countless iterations in the worlds of video games, novels and collectibles.

This May, the series makes an epic return to the big screen under the direction of J.J. Abrams, the creator of such recent pop-culture hits as Alias and Lost.

The characters of James T. Kirk, the captain of the Starship Enterprise, and Spock, his Vulcan first officer and science officer, were originally played by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, respectively.

For the new film, actors Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto have been assigned to these iconic roles. Viewers may recognize Pine from the recent film Bottle Shock and Quinto from the hit TV show Heroes, where he plays the villain Syler.

Pine will be taking over the role of Kirk, and Quinto will be playing Spock for the upcoming film. The two were available for phone interviews to promote the film’s upcoming release, and their excitement and affection for the project was palpable.

“J.J. Abrams [is] like a big kid in a really big playground … it’s about making the best product possible, but also while you’re doing it having the time of your life,” Pine said.

Quinto noted that there will be several differences between his character and the one from the original series.

“My version of Spock is definitely a little bit more unsettled,” he said. “He’s less in control of the duality that exists within him. He’s much more in conflict.”

Pine agrees about his portrayal of Kirk.

“It’s time we get to see this character before he becomes the confident commander of the later years,” he said. “He’s dealing with what he’s going to do with his life, whether or not he wants to face up to this challenge that’s presented to him by Captain Pike of joining Starfleet, whether he’s going to, you know, face his fears — or succumb, be a victim to [them]. I felt there were a lot of parallels between my character and myself.”

Pine believes that the character of Kirk has longevity because of his humanity and perseverance.

“The kind of things that he faces and challenges are very much the things that I’ve had to face, and I think really everybody has to face,” Pine said. “And I think it’s what makes James Kirk so accessible.”

The new Star Trek is a “reboot,” just as Batman Begins and Casino Royale were for the Batman and James Bond franchises. However, there will be plenty to enjoy for both rabid Star Trek fans, known as trekkies, and Star Trek newcomers.

“There is a tribble somewhere,” Quinto said, referring to a fictional animal in the Star Trek universe. “I think there are things like that that die-hard Star Trek fans can really look forward to. And I think that non-fans can look forward to the fact that this is a movie that’s much more about relationships, characters and challenges than it is about planets and starships and aliens.”

Reach reporter Robert Frankel at

arts@dailyuw.com.