By Borys Kit

LOS ANGELES (Hollywwod Reporter) - Filmmaker J.J. Abrams is slowly bringing his crew together for the 11th film in the "Star Trek" movie series.


Zoe Saldana is in final negotiations to play Uhura, who is the chief communications officer on the USS Enterprise.

Plot details for the Paramount Pictures film are begin kept under wraps, but it is understood that the movie chronicles the early days of the Enterprise crew. Saldana will join Anton Yelchin as a young Chekov, the Russian-born navigator, as well as Zachary Quinto as a young Spock. Leonard Nimoy, who originated the role of Spock, is on board as well.

On the original TV series and in the movies, Uhura was played by Nichelle Nichols.

The untitled "Star Trek" film is scheduled to open on Christmas Day 2008.

Saldana, who played one of Britney Spears' pals in the road movie "Crossroads," is one of the stars of James Cameron's sci-fi epic "Avatar," which is currently filming.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
© Copyright 2007 Reuters.

Photo:
Cast member Zoe Saldana arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of "Haven" held at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, California September 12, 2006. Saldana is in final negotiations to play Uhura in the latest "Star Trek" movie. REUTERS/Phil McCarten