Faran Tahir Discusses Role in Star Trek

Faran Tahir (Iron Man) who played Bakir on LOST, recently had an interview where he discussed his role in the new JJ Abrams Star Trek movie. Tahir's role has been kept a secret, but he revealed some details in this little tidbit:

Well, you know we are trying to keep it hush-hush, of course. But what I can tell you is that Captain Robau is the captain of a Federation ship -- a ship that really hasn't been seen before in the "Star Trek" storyline. So it's something that people haven't seen yet. My character is kind of a heroic character, which I thought was a great change of gears for me, doing "Iron Man" and then somebody a little different like a good guy.

How well has Abrams done re-imagining this legendary franchise?

I think J. J., again like Jon [Favreau], understands the genre well. He also understands the fact that there are die-hard Trekkies out there that want things done right. He respects that and yet he also wants to challenge it. So certain things will be conformed and other things will be challenged. I also think that he understands that there is a whole generation out there that has not grown up with "Star Trek." All the shows are done and there hasn't been a movie in a while, so there is a nice gap in between. I think he also wants to cater to that group so they can be introduced to this on they're own ground. So it's not like something their father, uncle or older brother told them about but it's something that they really discover on their own and get to own it themselves. He's created a very nice balance and the feel to the movie is something that I feel he has really gotten right.

Do you think that the hardcore "Star Trek" fans will be happy with the film?

I do. I think because it keeps the spirit of "Star Trek" alive and yet has something new to offer. You know, you piece information together to give characters history or future in this case. [Abrams] has straddled both of those things, the conformations and the challenges at the same time and I think he's done a very smart job.

You've worked with the writers, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, in the past on "Alias." What was their script like?

They really are great writers. They really understand how to pull you into it. They know how to see that audience in the dark room and take them to a whole other reality. And that's what I like about the script. This "Star Trek" will do that and you won't have that separation of fantasy and reality. You will be transported there and energized right onto the deck of the ship. So it's very well done.

Source: TrekWeb