A conversation with J.J. Abrams almost led to Nichelle Nichols playing a grandmother on Star Trek XI.

As reported by TrekMovie.com, Nichols almost made it into Star Trek XI but the writer's strike interfered.

Speaking at the Supernova Pop Culture Expo in Perth, Australia, Nichols let drop that J.J. Abrams would have liked to have had her in the movie. At a meeting with Abrams on the Paramount lot, "He was very excited...like a young fan," Nichols explained. "He was like 'I can't believe I am sitting here with Uhura.' And he said 'You know, I would really like to find a valid reason for you to be in the movie.'"

But Abrams wanted the part to have validity and not just be a gimmick according to Nichols. "And he says 'that is the point. I don't want it to be a gimmick. I don't want to just be doing that to just do it.'" Abrams began to talk about the actress playing Uhura in Star Trek XI (Zoe Saldana) and according to Nichols, said "I think she could learn a lot from a lovely lady. You know what I'd love? I'd love for you to play her mother!"

According to Nichols, she replied, "You know what I'd really like? I'd like to play her grandmother," to which Abrams said, "You're too young to play her grandmother." "This is what grandmothers look like," Nichols replied.

To read more, head to the article located here.

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