Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Cast In J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Movie?”

I have no empirical data to back this up, nor do I have any real proof, but it is my assumption that black people do not really watch “Star Trek.” I know Whoopi Goldberg was in ST:TNG but I somehow doubt that she really brought in the huge African American crowds that movie studios would and networks would like to see.

Well, J.J. Abrams has found a way to fix this problem with his upcoming “Star Trek XI” film. He has cast “Madea” actor(ess) and filmmaker, Tyler Perry, as the head of Starfleet Academy. Starfleet who?, many of you not Star Trek but definitely Tyler Perry fans might be asking…and that’s the point.

Tyler Perry can bring a crowd to pretty much anything these days. His last several films have all been hits especially within a very specific and very large demographic that doesn’t usually attend Star Trek conventions if you know what I mean (Worf fans notwithstanding). He most recently wrote, directed, co-produced and co-starred in “Why Did I Get Married?” His multi-hyphenate film credits include “Daddy’s Little Girls,” “Madea’s Family Reunion” and “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.” His next project is “Meet the Browns,” which he also wrote, produced and is directing.

Perry’s inclusion in this latest Star Trek film will undoubtedly draw massive amounts of attention to the movie and will bring a great number of his fans out no matter how small his role may ultimately be (the size of his role is currently unclear). This is, of course, good for the film. J.J. Abrams is no dummy. It’s not a bad move for Perry either as it gives him a chance to branch out a little and do something a little different, maybe winning over some new fans in the process.

Major plot details “Star Trek XI” are still being kept under wraps, but it is understood that the movie chronicles the early days of the Enterprise crew. The Paramount Pictures project began shooting in November and is expected to continue until March. Release is scheduled for Christmas Day, 2008.

Here is an updated cast list:

• Chris Hemsworth (George Samuel Kirk Sr.)
• Chris Pine (Capt. James T. Kirk)
• Jennifer Morrison (Doctor Carol Marcus or Winona Kirk)
• Leonard Nimoy (Spock)
• Bruce Greenwood (Capt. Christopher Pike)
• Ben Cross (Sarek – Spock’s father)
• Winona Ryder (Amanda Grayson – Spock’s mother)
• Zachary Quinto (Young Spock)
• Karl Urban (Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy)
• Simon Pegg (Scotty)
• John Cho (Sulu)
• Zoe Saldana (Nyota Uhura)
• Anton Yelchin (Pavel Chekov)
• Eric Bana (the villain, Nero)
• Rachel Nichols (Janice Rand?)
• Clifton Collins Jr. (Ayel)
• Tyler Perry (head of Starfleet Academy)