Director J.J. Abrams has revealed that Anton Yelchin will not be replaced in the Star Trek franchise.
27-year-old Yelchin died in a tragic accident on June 19 when his SUV rolled back down his driveway and crushed him against the gate of his home in Studio City.
Abrams has now spoken of the tragic loss the cast who grew close to him feel, and that continuing the movies with someone taking his place just wouldn’t be right.
Speaking to the Toronto Sun, the director said: ‘There’s no re-casting. I can’t possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better.’
He didn’t reveal, however, what would happen to Anton’s character Pavel Checkov.
He said: ‘I have thought about it, we’re working on it, and it’s too early to talk about it.’
Earlier this week Zoe Saldana appeared on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert where she also described the young actor as ‘irreplaceable.’
‘He had just turned 18 when we met him and he was the youngest one of the crew and I almost feel like he was the wisest one,’ she said.
‘So it was a terrible loss. We’re mourning – he’s an irreplaceable person and the kindest person. And he loved what he did.’
Star Trek Beyond arrives in cinemas on July 22.
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