Star Trek: Simon Pegg writing Idris Elba a "kick-ass" role

Simon Pegg and Doug Jung are in the latter stages of putting the script for next year's 13th Star Trek movie together, that Justin Lin is set to direct. Pegg and Jung took over scripting duties from Roberto Orci, and from what we've heard so far, they're very much charting their own course with the next film.

In a natter with MTV, Pegg has been chatting a little more about Star Trek, and in particular, he seems to confirm the reports that Idris Elba is set to play the villain in the new movie. "I think so," he said, "as far as I know.""We're trying to write him a kick-ass role!"

When asked whether the next Star Trek film will be acknowledging the legacy of the franchise, given that it's out in the series' 50th anniversary year, Pegg said "absolutely, that's the plan."

He revealed too that he and Doug Jung had been watching episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series as they've worked. "It's an incredible show when you watch it, how little they had ... these little thoughtful plays ... dealing with incredibly human and intellectual ideas," Pegg noted.

"Star Trek has to be something else now," he admitted. "Those people who decry it and say why isn't it like the show? It should be paper sets... It can't be that now. If we want Star Trek, it has to be a certain thing. But we can certainly invest in it the spirit of the show, and get back to the essence of what it is."

"What we're hoping to do is make a Star Trek for today, that doesn't forget where it came from."

And in case you're thinking that Idris Elba's villain will be one that's popped up before in the world of Star Trek, think again. "This is the five year mission now, we're out there, we don't always have to keep bumping into the same people. It's a massive universe. We're going to try and reflect that."

Star Trek 3/Star Trek 13 (whichever your preference) will be released in July 2017.

MTV.