Paramount Pictures have signed on Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) to play Scotty in JJ Abrams' upcoming "Star Trek" film. In addition, John Cho (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle) has been cast as Sulu, the Enterprise's helmsman. Pegg and Cho join Eric Bana, Anton Yelchin, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Leonard Nimoy in the latest bigscreen incarnation of the classic TV series.

Penned by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, the story chronicles the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members during their time at Starfleet Academy. Chris Pine has been offered the role of Kirk.

Paramount has set a November start date for the film, which will bow on Christmas Day 2008.