Winona Ryder has signed up to join the cast of the upcoming Star Trek movie as the young Vulcan mother of Spock.

Lost creator JJ Abrams has already signed up stars including Simon Pegg as engineer Scotty and Eric Bana as the film's villain. Original Spock Leonard Nimoy will also be returning for the film.

Now Mr. Deeds actress Ryder has agreed to star in the movie, which will be set during the Starship Enterprise's crew's early years at the Starfleet Academy.

Shooting will start this month and the film is due for release on Christmas Day 2008.