J.J. Abrams Talks Jack Black and the Next 'Star Trek' Sequel

Ah, gotta love those rumors. As folks slowly begin to stop geeking out about the Star Trek film that's still in theaters and start geeking out about the next Star Trek movie (already being planned), you're going to see a whole bunch of characters from the Trek universe pop up alongside different actors and actresses. The latest character to go through rumorville is Harry Mudd, who was a villain in the original series played by the late Roger C. Cormel in episodes "Mudd's Women" and "I, Mudd". Random? Yes. And since the guy kinda looks a little like Jack Black, the rumor that Black might play Mudd in the sequel was born out of thin air.

Well, Trek director J.J. Abrams recently sent an email to AICN to address all the Mudd/Black issues, as well as to give a status update on where they are in terms of planning the much-anticipated sequel that writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci have already signed on to write. He says, "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."

So there you have it. But I wonder ... what is Abrams working on with Jack Black?

Discuss: So then who would you want to play villain in the next Star Trek film if not Jack Black?