As predicted with the film’s start date looming, Star Trek is getting its cast locked up. Variety reports that Simon Pegg, most recently of geek friendly films like Hot Fuzz, will be the new Scotty in Star Trek.

Nobody really knows what the new JJ Abrams version of Star Trek will be about, except that it’s a prequel so they need younger actors. So it’s impossible to say what part the Enterprise’s Chief Engineer will play in the movie, but since they’ve cast a borderline star like Pegg it’s likely a safe bet that it’s a significant one. While most of the actors they’re casting for key roles in the film are between the ages of 19 and 30, Pegg is a little older. He’s 37. That’s actually not a problem, since Scotty was always a little older than Kirk and some of the other members of the crew. Pegg should have no problem pulling of 33 or 34 if necessary, and he’s from over there, so the Scottish accent is covered.

Not that I’m entirely sold on him. Pegg is a gifted comedic actor, but Scotty isn’t supposed to be funny. Oh his bitching and complaining in the engine room might be funny, but it’s not meant as a joke. Whenever Stark Trek has tried to make him a joke, the results were disastrous. Taking that direction with Scotty is a big part of what royally screwed up Star Trek V. Maybe Pegg can pull off a dramatic role, but I have this horrible vision in my head of him turning in some sort of annoying, Scotty parody. I really want to be wrong about this. Pegg is a smart guy and Abrams is usually a genius when it comes to casting. I choose to believe they know what they’re doing.