Summary

• Star Trek (2009) relaunched the franchise with a diverse cast and explored an alternate timeline split from the main timeline.
• Chris Pine played James T. Kirk, who goes from cadet to captain of the USS Enterprise and saves Earth from destruction.
• The cast also includes Zachary Quinto as Spock, Leonard Nimoy as Spock Prime, Karl Urban as Dr. McCoy, and Zoe Saldana as Uhura.

Star Trek (2009) helped relaunch the Star Trek franchise in the modern era and re-imagined the adventures of Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise with a diverse cast of new faces. Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Trek (2009) was the first franchise project produced after the cancelation of Star Trek: Enterprise in 2005, and the 11th Star Trek movie overall. Star Trek (2009) was followed by two sequels, 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness and 2016's Star Trek Beyond, with a third sequel still in the works despite experiencing multiple delays and setbacks.

Star Trek (2009) explored an alternate history for Captain Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the Starship Enterprise's crew from Star Trek: The Original Series, set in an alternate reality, known as the Kelvin timeline, split off from Star Trek's main timeline. The split, which took place on the day of James T. Kirk's birth in 2233, was initiated by the film's Romulan villain Nero (Eric Bana) when he accidentally crossed from one reality to another, causing the destruction of the USS Kelvin and the death of Kirk's father. The movie then explored Kirk's entry into Starfleet Academy and his first mission with the Enterprise crew as a cadet during Nero's attack on Vulcan. Here is the full cast and character guide for Star Trek (2009).

16 Chris Pine As James T. Kirk

Kirk goes from Starfleet Academy Cadet to Captain of the Enterprise

Chris Pine plays James T. Kirk, a younger and even brasher version of the role originated by William Shatner in Star Trek: The Original Series. Enlisting in Starfleet to honor his late father, Lt. George Kirk (Chris Hemsworth), Pine's James heroically rises from nearly expelled Starfleet Cadet to Captain of the Enterprise and saves Earth from destruction at the hands of Nero. Before Star Trek (2009), Chris Pine starred in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and has since become most well known for his roles in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Wonder Woman, Outlaw King, and Don't Worry Darling.

15 Zachary Quinto As Spock

Half-Vulcan First Officer and Science Officer of the USS Enterprise

The John Lennon to Kirk's Paul McCartney, Zachary Quinto portrays Spock, Kirk's half-human, half-Vulcan First Officer who begins the film as a Commander while Kirk is still a cadet. Star Trek (2009) mostly explores Spock's struggle with his dual identity, framed around his initially antagonistic relationship with Kirk and the loss of his home planet of Vulcan after Nero's attack. Besides Star Trek, Zachary Quinto is best known for his roles in Heroes and American Horror Story.

14 Leonard Nimoy As Spock Prime

The original Spock from Star Trek's Prime timeline

Leonard Nimoy returned in Star Trek (2009) to portray Ambassador Spock AKA Spock Prime. In the film, it is revealed that Nimoy's Spock jumped universes through the same time portal as Nero after a failed attempt to save Romulus from a supernova. Nero held Spock responsible for Romulus's destruction, leading him to take revenge by destroying Vulcan. While playing Spock in the Star Trek franchise was Nimoy's most well-known role, the legendary actor and director had numerous other credits including Mission: Impossible and Fringe, as well as directing Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and Three Men and a Baby before passing away in 2015 at the age of 83.

13 Karl Urban As Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy

Chief Medical Officer of the USS Enterprise

Completing the iconic Star Trek: The Original Series trio, Karl Urban plays Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy in Star Trek (2009). Urban's McCoy evoked the spirit of DeForest Kelley's portrayal while still allowing him to put his own spin on the character. In Star Trek (2009), McCoy meets and becomes friends with James T. Kirk at Starfleet Academy, and reluctantly smuggles Kirk onboard the Enterprise so that he can participate in the fight against Nero. Urban is best known for his roles in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Dredd, Thor: Ragnarok, and The Boys.

12 Zoe Saldana As Nyota Uhura

USS Enterprise's Communications Officer

Zoe Saldana plays Nyota Uhura, the Starship Enterprise's communications officer who starts the film out as a cadet alongside Kirk and McCoy. Saldana's version of the character in Star Trek (2009) was the first time that Uhura's first name, Nyota, was established on screen, having never been stated during Nichelle Nichols' run in TOS. Uhura and Spock are also in a romantic relationship in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek. Besides Star Trek, Saldana is best known for her starring roles in some of the biggest franchises in modern film, including the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and James Cameron's Avatar movies.

11 Simon Pegg as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott

USS Enterprise's Chief Engineer

Originated by the late James Doohan, the role of Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott is played by Simon Pegg in Star Trek (2009). Kirk and Spock Prime are aided by Scotty in their attempt to return Kirk to the Enterprise, after finding the engineer posted at a remote Starfleet outpost on Delta Vega. Scotty quickly becomes the top engineer on the Enterprise. Pegg's most well-known roles outside of Star Trek are on the British sitcom Spaced and the Three Flavours Cornetto movie trilogy.

Simon Pegg, along with Dave Jung, co-wrote Star Trek Beyond in 2016.

10 John Cho As Hikaru Sulu

Helmsman of the USS Enterprise

John Cho plays Hikaru Sulu, taking over the role originated by George Takei in Star Trek: The Original Series. While the character took on more of a supporting role in the main storylines in Star Trek (2009), Cho's portrayal once again evoked the spirit of Takei and included a few TOS Easter eggs such as Sulu's skill with a sword. Cho has also starred in Ugly Betty and the Harold & Kumar film franchise.

9 Anton Yelchin As Pavel Chekov

USS Enterprise's navigator

Anton Yelchin's Pavel Chekov and his Russian accent added humor to Star Trek (2009). The youngest Enterprise crew member, Chekov also acted in a mostly supporting role to the film's main storyline, while still providing the chance for some callbacks to Walter Koenig's Chekov in Star Trek: The Original Series. Yelchin is also known for Green Room, Hearts in Atlantis, and Huff before his untimely death in 2016 at the age of 27.

Star Trek: Picard season 3 honored Anton Yelchin and Walter Koenig's Chekov with the voice cameo of Koenig as Pavel's descendant, Federation President Anton Chekov.

8 Eric Bana As Nero

Star Trek 2009's time-traveling Romulan villain

Eric Bana portrays Star Trek (2009)'s villain Nero, a 24th-century Romulan bent on revenge for the destruction of his home planet. Nero is one of only a handful of original characters created for the movie, and like Spock Prime, is from Star Trek's Prime Universe timeline rather than the film's alternate universe. Bana's most well-known roles were mainly in Australian cinema, but the actor gained wider recognition when he starred in Hulk (2003).

7 Clifton Collins Jr. As Ayel

Nero's Romulan first officer

Clifton Collins Jr. plays Ayel, Nero's first officer who does much of the talking for his captain early on. Ayel also has a dramatic death scene and some good dialogue with Kirk toward the end of Star Trek (2009) when Kirk and Spock infiltrate Nero's ship during their plan to stop the Romulans. Collins Jr.'s other credits include The Last Castle, Capote, Pacific Rim, and Thief.

6 Bruce Greenwood As Christopher Pike

The first Captain of the Enterprise and James T. Kirk's mentor

The first actor to play Captain Christopher Pike since Jeffrey Hunter in Star Trek's unaired 1965 pilot, "The Cage," Bruce Greenwood takes on the role of Captain Pike in Star Trek (2009). Pike begins the film as the Captain of the Enterprise and acts as a mentor to Kirk throughout the film. Greenwood is best known for his roles in Thirteen Days, Capote, St. Elsewhere, and Mad Men.

5 Chris Hemsworth As George Kirk

First Officer of the USS Kelvin and James T. Kirk's father

Star Trek (2009) saw Chris Hemsworth make his feature film debut as James T. Kirk's father, Lt. George Kirk. Before Star Trek, Hemsworth was mostly known for his work in Australian TV, having not yet branched out into Hollywood. Since Star Trek (2009), Hemsworth has gone on to worldwide fame for his portrayal of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as starring roles in Ghostbusters, Men in Black: International, and Extraction.

An aborted plan for a fourth Star Trek movie produced by J.J. Abrams would have seen Chris Pine's Captain Kirk somehow meet and team up with his father, Lt. George Kirk.

4 Winona Ryder As Amanda Grayson

Spock's human mother

Winona Ryder portrays Spock's mother Amanda Grayson in Star Trek (2009). The character had previously appeared in one episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, played by Jane Wyatt. While Amanda's presence in the film is minimal, she is greatly important to Spock's story arc. Ryder is best known for her roles in Beetlejuice, Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, and Stranger Things.

Mia Kirshner plays Amanda Grayson, mother of Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck), on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

3 Ben Cross As Sarek

Spock's Vulcan father

Originated by Mark Lenard in Star Trek: The Original Series, the role of Ambassador Sarek is portrayed by Ben Cross in Star Trek (2009). Like Amanda, Sarek's presence in the film is minimal, and almost entirely revolves around Spock's storyline. Ben Cross is best known for his role in Chariots of Fire and his work in numerous stage productions in London's West End.

2 Star Trek (2009) Supporting Cast & Characters

Other familiar faces pop up in J.J. Abrams' 2009 Star Trek movie

Jennifer Morrison as Winona Kirk: Kirk's mother and George Kirk's widow. Morrison's other credits include House, Once Upon a Time, and How I Met Your Mother.

Faran Tahir as Captain Richard Robau: Captain of the USS Kelvin who is killed by Nero, causing George Kirk to take command. Tahir is best known for The Jungle Book (1994), Iron Man, and Elysium.

Tyler Perry as Admiral Richard Barnett: Tyler Perry's Admiral Barnett is the head of Starfleet Academy and part of Kirk's board of examiners when he cheats on the Kobayashi Maru test. Perry is known for his Madea character, as well as his work on Tyler Perry's House of Payne.

Deep Roy as Keenser: Scotty's assistant on Delta Vega and an alien of unknown origin. Roy has played many diminutive characters on shows and movies such as The X-Files, Doctor Who, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Star Wars, and The Neverending Story.

William Morgan Sheppard as the head of the Vulcan Science Council: the unnamed examiner whose comment about Spock's human heritage causes him to reject the Vulcan Science Academy for Starfleet. Before Star Trek (2009), Sheppard appeared in episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager as well as the film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Besides Star Trek, he appeared in Gettysburg, Babylon 5, and Doctor Who.

1 Will Star Trek's 2009 Cast Return For Star Trek 4?

"The final chapter" of Chris Pine's Starship Enterprise is reportedly being developed

A fourth Star Trek movie produced by J.J. Abrams has been in development hell since Star Trek Beyond's theatrical release in 2016. Filmmakers like S.J. Clarkson, Noah Hawley, Matt Shakman, and Quentin Tarantino were attached to Star Trek 4 but left the project due to creative differences, and a December 22, 2023 release date set by Paramount Pictures came and went with no Star Trek 4. A recent report indicates that Star Trek 4 is still on the studio's development slate, primed to be the "final chapter" of Chris Pine's cast of USS Enterprise heroes. Time will tell if Star Trek 4 will finally beam into theaters, but Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, and the other actors have indicated their desire to resume their Star Trek roles one more time.

Star Trek (2009) is available to stream on Paramount+.