TrekMovie.com has another Star Trek casting scoop (remember we were first with Quinto as Spock). Sources close to the production tell TrekMovie.com that 29-year-old actress Zoë Saldana has been offered the part of Uhura - the USS Enterprise’s communications officer originally played by Nichelle Nichols. Apparently the deal is not yet final and one outstanding issue may be related to her schedule starring in the James Cameron sci-fi mega movie Avatar which is still in production. Sources indicate that Avatar will be doing location shooting starting in October and Star Trek is slated to start shooting in November. Dealing with a busy actor’s schedules is not new to the Star Trek producers - the same had to be done for Quinto. Insiders tell TrekMovie.com that casting for other Star Trek characters is still ongoing. Active film career + Abrams and Trek connection Beyond Avatar Saldana has seventeen feature film credits but is probably best known starring along with Orlando Bloom in the 2004 drama Haven or for her starring role in the 2005 comedy Guess Who with Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac. The actress also had a small role in the 2003 hit Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, but the lead in Avatar and being cast as the new Uhura puts her into the genre film top tier. Saldana has a connection to Star Trek producer/director J.J. Abrams as she was in two episodes in the recent ABC series Six Degrees produced by Abrams and fellow Star Trek producer Bryan Burk. But the new Star Trek is not actually her first brush with Trek. Saldana played a Trekkie customs officer in the 2004 film The Terminal starring Tom Hanks (see clip below). http://trekmovie.com/2007/08/29/zoe-saldana-may-be-the-new-uhura If true they really are pushing for the younger crowd.
Some people find people of certain races more attractive than others, its nothing more than personal taste.
Yes it has been confirmed. I am happy that they didn't go for Halle Berry or Beyonce Knowles. Saldana is a good choice, her cameo in Pirates and her leading roles in TheTerminal and GuessWho were thoroughly enjoyable!
It isn't at all. Georgia is full of gorgeous African/AA women. Problem is, the ones that are in showbiz aren't that 'out there'.. most are either under-rated (Kerry Washington, Zoe included) or doesn't do memorable movies (Angela Bassett) or are 'whitized' too much (Beyonce).
I really liked her in Guess Who. I thought that was a pretty good movie, but I think it kind of bombed.
Honestly, I don't find her that pretty considering she's an actress. I would say the average girl I see on the El is better looking. So maybe Scorp needs to see more black girls. While Gabrielle Union is pretty, and also happens to be a Trek alumna, she's turning 35 next month, and so is probably too old in the minds of the producers. She doesn't look older than Zoe, though.
Wow!! Gabbs Union is 35? She could be my next ex-wife!! I hate to say this and I apologize for how it may sound in advance, but Uhura is an African-esque beauty. The character is supposed to be of African origin. While Zoe is very beautiful, "African-esque" is not how I would describe her. Uhura should be someone of a darker complexion. For the very same reason, this is why I've been only lukewarm to Halle Berry being casted as Storm in the X-Men movies.
Gabrielle Union is a fine, beautiful woman.. but I think Paramount was looking for someone.. or technically the entire cast below 30ish. If they were going to recast it 'agewise' I'd be rooting for Angela Bassett.
I dig Angela Bassett. Ever since 'Strange Days'. Maybe not the best Uhura, but I'd like to see her in more than a secondary role anyway.
Agewise, maybe. But in terms of who I'd rather see do a fan dance like "Star Trek V," it's Angela Bassett all the way.
I think she has a nice voice. And all she has to be able to says is "hailing frequencies open" and look good in a mini-skirt.
'Cause if Scorp had said, "She's kinda pretty for a girl," we'd have to move the thread to the Blue Room to quiet the shitstorm.
