Winona Ryder has signed up to the latest installment of the Star Trek franchise - as the Vulcan mother of a young Spock.

Directed by Lost creator JJ Abrams, the film will chart the Starship Enterprise crew’s early days as they embark on their first mission after meeting at the Starfleet Academy.

The 11th Star Trek outing has cast Simon Pegg as Scotty, Eric Bana as Nero and Zachary Quinto as Spock.

Leonard Nimoy - the original Mr Spock - is tipped to make a cameo appearance in the film.

The film will be released in the US in December 2008.