Matt Damon turned down ‘Star Trek’ for ‘logical reasons’

Matt Damon turned down the role of James T. Kirk’s father in J.J. Abrams’ summer hit Star Trek, but turned it down for “gracious and understandable and logical of reasons.”

Abrams told MTV that he had contacted Damon during casting of the sci-fi revival for the role of George Kirk.

“I did [talk to Damon], but not for the role of James Kirk. I went to Damon for the role of Kirk’s father, and he declined in the most gracious and understandable and logical of reasons,” Abrams said. “We lucked out with Chris Hemsworth, and he did a great job.”

He added: “The decision was made very early on to have actors who were not necessarily the most famous but the most right for the role.”

Matt Damon can be seen in Universal’s upcoming Bourne-esque film Green Zone on March 12th.

Chris Hemsworth will play the Norse god superhero Thor for Marvel Studios. The project, directed by Kenneth Branagh, is due out in the summer of 2011.

Source: MTV