From Sylar to Spock: The Fantastic Voyage of Zachary Quinto
Heroes Villain May Next Play Star Trek Icon
A wicked rumor has been spreading like wildfire lately about a potential casting coup concerning the projected Christmas 2008 feature film so creatively dubbed Star Trek XI. As Trekkies worldwide already know, the eleventh film in the Star Trek saga will be directed by television’s current golden boy, J.J. Abrams (Alias, Felicity, Lost). Now come whisperings that Abrams will soon be joined by the actor lucky enough to play half-human, half-Vulcan science officer Spock. His name is Zachary Quinto (24, So noTORIous), probably better known as Heroes‘ Sylar to most people who’ve turned on a television in the past year.
According to E! Online on Monday afternoon, a source “confirms that the Zachary Quinto-as-Spock contract is with the business affairs team at Paramount. Business affairs is generally considered the last stop on the deal-negotiation train. The deal only awaits sign-off from outside counsel.” That sounds like all fans need to do at the moment is wait patiently for the official announcement in coming hours/days. Even the Internet Movie Database has jumped on the speculation, listing Quinto as the rumored next portrayer of Spock site-wide.
The role of beloved alien Mr. Spock was originated and immortalized by New England native Leonard Nimoy during the initial 1960s version of the Star Trek series. Quinto recently catapulted to television prominence himself in NBC’s Heroes, another sci-fi show that is doing a great job thus far of capturing the imaginations and adoration of TV watchers.
Despite the despicable, demented serial killer Sylar that he plays quite effectively, it’s easy to see why the people behind one of next year’s guaranteed biggest movies would take an interest in the bushy eyebrowed thespian. In addition to his distinctive, dark-haired appearance that could easily be molded to mimic a Vulcan, Quinto’s got the comic-book-y dialogue delivery and facial expressions down to a T. Let’s see if he also has what it takes to make the leap from small-screen villainy to big-screen idolatry.
Zachary Quinto photo courtesy of WireImage.com
Cool