Pegg to star in new 'Star Trek' film

British actor Simon Pegg is to play a young Scotty in the new 'Star Trek' film.

The movie is a prequel chronicling the early days of Captain James T Kirk and his Starship Enterprise crew.

'Shaun of the Dead' star Pegg will take the role of chief engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, played in the original TV series by James Doohan.

The film is being directed by 'Lost' creator JJ Abrams.

He cast Pegg, 37, after working with him on 'Mission: Impossible III'.

This will be the 11th 'Star Trek' movie and shooting begins in November, and is set for release on Christmas Day 2008.

Australian star Eric Bana will play the baddie, Nero, and original Spock Leonard Nimoy has a cameo role.

US actor Chris Pine is in talks to play the young Captain Kirk.

The film will show the crew first meeting at the Starfleet Academy and embarking on their first mission.

Pegg found fame in seminal TV comedy 'Spaced' and went on to have big screen success in 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'Hot Fuzz'.

He is currently starring in the film 'Run Fat Boy Run' and will next appear in a movie version of Toby Young's memoir 'How To Lose Friends and Alienate People'.