More 'Trek' tidbits
The Internet's favorite upcoming movie continues to generate buzz.
J.J. Abrams, director of the reinvention of "Star Trek," tells TVGuide.com's Michael Ausiello that Jennifer Morrison, co-star of "House," will appear in the movie, set for a Christmas 2008 release. Rumor has it Morrison will play Dr. Carol Marcus, mother of Capt. James T. Kirk's son, David, who died at the hands of the Klingons in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock."
The spies over at IESB.net say they have the plot of the new movie nailed down; beware of spoilers! The site says Spock (Leonard Nimoy) learns of a Romulan scheme to use the Guardian of Forever -- a time-travel device seen in the classic episode "The City at the Edge of Forever" -- to go back in time and kill Capt. Kirk (newcomer Chris Pine) at the beginning of his tenure on the Enterprise. Spock follows the Romulans and warns his younger self ("Heroes" villain Zachary Quinto) of the attempt on his new captain's life.
If true, it appears Abrams will rely on that old "Trek" standby, time travel (see movies 4, 7 and 8), and rip off "The Terminator" in the process.
The site also has the first pictures from the movie's set, where costumed extras wear long black robes to hide the new Starfleet uniform design.
"Star Trek's" cast also boasts Winona Ryder (Amanda, Spock's mother), Eric Bana (Nero, the film's villain), "Lord of the Rings" hero Karl Urban (Dr. McCoy), "Shaun of the Dead" star Simon Pegg (Scotty), "Harold & Kumar's" John Cho (Sulu) and veteran character actor Bruce Greenwood (Capt. Christopher Pike).
• British actress Helen McCrory will play villainous Narcissa Malfoy in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," according to darkhorizons.com. She is best known by American audiences for the role of Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in "The Queen." The sixth "Potter" film opens in November 2008.
• "Damages," the FX drama series starring Glenn Close, will come back for two more seasons. Thefutoncritic.com reports the first of two 13-episode seasons will go into production early next year in New York.
• "American Gladiators" is coming back, with Laila Ali and Hulk Hogan as hosts. A press release at NBCUMV.com says the revival of the syndicated athletic competition, famous for its superhero-like cast of Gladiators and an obstacle course known as The Eliminator, will be a midseason replacement on NBC. Gee, thanks a lot, you striking writers!