JJ Abrams Says They Won’t Recast Anton Yelchin’s STAR TREK Role

Star Trek Beyond hits theaters tomorrow night, and while we're certainly excited to get a look at Justin Lin's film (word on the street is, it's good), there's no denying that the tragic death of Anton Yelchin has cast something of a shadow over things. Assuming this new iteration of Star Trek continues - and Paramount's saying it will - what will become of Yelchin's Pavel Chekov? 

According to a new interview with JJ Abrams, they're not sure yet...but they won't be recasting.

In an exclusive interview with Postmedia Network, Abrams said the filmmakers have begun talks on dealing with his loss in the script. But one thing that is certain is that Chekov will not be recast.

“I would say there’s no replacing him. There’s no recasting. I can’t possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better.”

I'm curious to see what sort of solution Abrams and company come up with here, and I like the super-respectful approach they're taking so far. There are, of course, other solutions to the issue - solutions involving extensive CGI and body-doubles, for instance - that have never set well with me in the past, and certainly wouldn't sit well with me here. That's just a personal thing, of course, but I'm heartened to hear that Abrams seems to feel the same way about it.

How about you guys, though? What's your position on recasting roles when their actors pass away? Are you cool with losing the character entirely in favor of recasting, or would you prefer a different approach? Get philosophical in the comments below. 

PS: You have purchased your copy of Birth.Movies.Death.'s Star Trek issue, yes?