Casting rumours for Star Trek XI have been swirling for months, with names like Tom Cruise and Matt Damon being dropped as potential Captain Kirks. Now Scottish actor James McAvoy is said to have the inside track for a role for which he has the perfect accent.

The UK's Sunday Mail reported that McAvoy, who played Mr. Tumnus in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and earned good reviews as Dr. Garrigan in The Last King of Scotland, is keen to play Montgomery Scott in the film. "I have a passion for sci-fi. Films, books, memorabilia, art - I'm an addict," the actor reportedly said, explaining that he grew up reading The Lord of the Rings and watching Star Trek.

The article claims that an insider said the producers think "the 28-year-old is perfect for the iconic role", though it also states as fact that Damon has been cast as Kirk - something repeatedly denied by both Damon's publicist and the studio, which refused to comment on casting.

"The producers are keen to have a Scottish Scotty and James is the No.1 choice," stated the unnamed insider. "He's Scottish and has box office appeal so he fulfils both criteria." Scotty was played on the television show by the late James Doohan.

The original article is here.

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