True Star Trek nerds know all about the fact that J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias) is hard at work producing a new Star Trek film. But since I wasn’t nerd enough to know it, I thought I’d spread the news. The L.A. Times says the film will be Spock centric, and it will take place chronologically before the original series began. Also, Leonard Nimoy will somehow appear in the film as “old Spock.” Abrams is trying to find a way to work William Shatner in too, but given that his character is dead and already has been brought back to life in the story’s chronology, it may be tricky. The Times also has a great slide show with pictures of the original character and the actor expected to play him or her in the new film. Chris Prine is in talks to play Capt. Kirk, but the actor who plays Sylar on Heroes, Zachary Quinto, will likely be playing Spock and therefore will be the star of the film.

The casting makes sense. Sylar has a flat, emotionless affect with occasional bursts of temper. Both Sylar and Spock have super powers, and both look down on humanity. Actually, I think Quinto is already playing Spock, but an eeeevil Spock. Switching to good Spock should be easy, right?

Correction: An earlier version of this post suggested that Shatner is dead, rather than his character. Really, really, not true. Apologies to Martini-Corona, and others who nearly lost their lives from my error.