Jack Black in Talks with JJ Abrams
With the incredible success of Star Trek this summer, you know Paramount is talking to JJ Abrams and co. about planning a sequel. Much of that talk has centered on recasting characters made famous on the original Star Trek TV series. One memorable character was the heavyset, flamboyant, scoundrel known as Harry Mudd. Jack Black has been mentioned as being a good fit for this role, and rumors of talks with Star Trek director JJ Abrams have only fueled speculation. However, Abrams has provided this note to Ain’t It Cool News:
Jack Black
Yes, talking to Jack Black about doing something — but not Mudd.
Bryan, Damon, Alex and Bob and I have not had MEETING ONE about a sequel.
Brief, casual, blue-sky conversations, of course. But “okay, what’s next for The Crew?” Not a meeting. So any character decisions, let alone actor discussions, feel like a ways away.
I can tell you one thing. For the sequel? I think we should have a shitload more lens flares.
Hope your summer is going well — DYING to see The Hangover.
Credit to Abrams for poking fun at the heavy use of lens flare in Trek. So, it looks like Black won’t be playing Harry Mudd. Of course, a Mudd-like character named Cyrano Jones appeared in one of the most famous Star Trek episodes, “The Trouble with Tribbles”, so that’s a possibility. Or the discussions could be about some other project or heck maybe even the LA Lakers. Who knows.
I would love to see Jack in the new Trek movie
There’s a reason Jack’s name came up with regards to the Harry Mudd character. He’d be really good for this role.
Like Hansel, Abrams is so hot right now that any discussion with him can be a good thing for Jack.