Quinto praises Nimoy support on 'Star Trek'

Zachary Quinto has praised the support that he received from original Spock actor Leonard Nimoy in helping him bring the iconic Star Trek character back to the big screen.

The Heroes star portrays the character as a young man in JJ Abrams upcoming blockbuster, while Nimoy reprises his legendary role for a brief cameo at the beginning of the prequel.

Speaking at the film's UK press conference, Quinto said: "I had the great advantage of working closely with him during this process. From the very beginning he was so available to me and supportive and welcoming. He gave me such creative freedom that I didn't feel any sense of expectation or pressure from him.

"Also, just to have the personal experience of the impact that this character had on his life and the impact that his life had on this character."

Quinto added that having Nimoy on set during filming had been "reassuring", saying: "It removed any anxiety or pressure that I might have otherwise had, by having him available and involved and clearly supportive and excited.

"It was a very profound experience for me because I don't think Leonard ever expected to play this character again, and I think for him it was a good opportunity, not only to play the character again, but to be intimately involved in the passage of the mantle, which for me was an incredible honour and certainly one that I will cherish for years."

Star Trek arrives in cinemas on May 8.

> Click here for our complete Star Trek coverage