STAR TREK - CALL FOR 'ODD' STAR TREK EXTRAS

The studio producing the new Star Trek movie is to hold an open casting for people with "unique" features to appear in the upcoming film.

Lost creator JJ Abrams is to direct the film, set to be released in December 2008, and casting directors have begun their search for odd-looking people eager to appear as extras in the sci-fi project.

An invitation to the open auditions this Saturday in Burbank, California, explained Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot studios were especially interested in "thin, regal" hopefuls willing to have their eyebrows sculpted to portray a "Vulcan-type" brow shape.

And a general call for extras to feature in scenes at Star Fleet academy - where Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise learned the ropes - illustrated the breadth of characteristics needed for the film.

The release from Headquarters Casting said they were "especially seeking talent with interesting and unique facial features, such as long necks, small heads, extremely large heads, wide-set eyes, bug eyes, close-set eyes, large forehead, short upper lip, pronounced cheekbones, over or undersized ears and/or nose".

It added that people with "facial deformities, ultra plain-looking people, ultra perfect-looking people, pure wholesome looks, twins, triplets, emaciated talent, in addition to regally poised and postured talent", would also be considered.

"This is an epic project and we are looking for the most intriguing and interesting faces to integrate in this film," the invitation added.

Much of the casting for the 11th Star Trek movie has been completed.

Simon Pegg will play the young Scotty, Heroes star Zachary Quinto assays the role of Mr Spock, Lord of the Rings actor Karl Urban stars as Leonard 'Bones' McCoy, comic actor John Cho plays Mr Sulu and relative newcomer Chris Pine steps into William Shatner's shoes as Captain James T Kirk.