J.J. Abrams, creator of "Lost" and "Alias," will direct the latest "Star Trek" big-screen installment set to premiere in December 2008. The sci-fi classic casts both Nimoy and "Heroes" villain Zachary Quinto as the half Vulcan-half human Enterprise officer, E! News reported Thursday.

"People have been asking me why I'm doing this movie, and I think the answer is obvious -- we have a great director, a wonderful script, and a wonderful young actor playing Spock, so ... it was logical," Nimoy told fans during Comic-Con in San Diego.

When asked how much Quinto's role would be inspired by Nimoy, the younger actor said, "Well, as much as he'd like it to be, since he's working on the film, which is an honor."

But, he added, "I certainly intend to bring my own spin to it, and working with these guys, I'm sure I'll find it."