http://chud.com/nextraimages/clifton_collins_jr.jpgThe cast list for Star Trek XI reads like a joke, especially the inclusion of Winona Ryder as Spock’s mom (who knew that Sarek was a rocker in his early days?), but the newest casting news almost brings a smile to my face. And then I realized that JJ Abrams is only doing strong casting in the Romulan roles.

Eric Bana is a good choice, and he’s playing the main baddie, Nero. Now he has a buddy – Clifton Collins Jr is Ayel, described by Variety as ‘the cohort and general’ to Nero. Collins is a fine actor, and an underappreciated one at that. His biggest role so far was Perry King in Capote, but he’s never quite been able to capitalize on that success (he has a split second ‘cameo’ in Babel as a border guard, for Pete’s sake*). I can’t imagine that the role of Ayel is a big one, but it’s nice to see him here.

But again – why is it that just about only the Romulans are being played by real, non-gimmicky actors? Bana and Clifton Collins Jr are good starts for a movie’s cast, but everything else is so wrong. By the way, I will eat the living shit out of my words if Abrams’ casting proves to be great, and if the movie ends up being a blast. But since this is an odd numbered Trek, odds are low that I’ll be shoveling any crow into my mouth.

* For the dragon’s sake as well.