New Capt. Kirk Talks "Trek"

Trekkies rejoice!

The "Star Trek" franchise has its newest film addition, which features a new cast. And Chris Pine, who plays Capt. James T. Kirk, stopped by The Early Show Friday to talk about the movie and playing the iconic role.

"It's a bit different than I think what people might expect -- avid fans," Pine said. "But I think the whole idea of it was to bring a new generation of fans into the fold."

"Star Trek" takes audiences back to the beginning, when the original crew of the USS Enterprise came together.

And some old stars of "Star Trek," such as Leonard Nimoy, who plays Mr. Spock, are making appearances. But some aren't, like William Shatner, who originally played Capt. Kirk.

Pine told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith he wrote a letter to Shatner "very early on in the process, and explained who I was and what my take on it was going to be, and by no means was I trying to re-do what he had done so well. He was very kind and wrote me back, very promptly."

Pine also talked about being selected to be in a film with George Clooney, and his decision to turn it down to do "Star Trek."

"I think I made the right decision," he said as he sat beside an action figure of himself as Capt. Kirk.

Pine is part of an acting family. His father was on the TV series "Chips" in the '70s. Pine said he picked up acting through osmosis, and knew what he was getting himself into.

"I didn't have any romantic notions of what it could get," Pine said. "I saw the ups and downs and the peaks and the valleys."

When Smith asked about the commitment of being part of the "Star Trek" franchise, including several possible sequels, Pine said he's looking forward to it.

"I'm a happy, lucky actor who is working, thank God," he said. "I just pray it lasts for a little bit longer than, you know, I had hoped."

"Star Trek" opens Friday in theaters across the country.