Eric Bana

=== ''Star Trek'' ===
[[File:Trek 2009 theatrical teaser poster, Bana.jpg|thumb|200px|''Star Trek'' promotional poster featuring Bana as Nero]]
Bana has stated he was a [[Trekkie|fan]] of {{s|TOS}} when he was a child, but his appreciation for the show was not the reason he signed on to do the movie. Bana said he accepted the role after reading the script (written by [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]]), which he called "awesome" and said he could not resist being a part of the movie. Another factor was his friendship with the film's director and producer, [[J.J. Abrams]]. He and Abrams have the same agent, which allowed them to meet several times before the film was in production. <ref>Rich, Katey. "Bana Says Nero Is The Main ''Trek'' Villain." [http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Bana-Says-Nero-Is-The-Main-Trek-Villain-7783.html] CinemaBlend.com, 11 February 2008.</ref><ref>Fischer, Paul. "Exclusive Interview: Eric Bana for ''The Other Boleyn Girl''. [http://www.darkhorizons.com/news08/bana.php] Dark Horizons via the Internet Archive, 20 February 2008.</ref><ref>Pascale, Anthony. "Bana Spoofs ''Star Trek'' Plot Details." {{TrekMovie.com|2008/02/06/bana-talks-abrams-andjokes-plot-details/}} TrekMovie.com, 6 February 2008.</ref><ref>"Bana calls ''Star Trek'' role irresistible." [http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/02/29/Bana_calls_Star_Trek_role_irresistible/UPI-78451204318682/] United Press International, 29 February 2008.</ref>

His casting in ''Star Trek'' was announced on {{d|9|October|2007}}. He was filming ''The Time Traveler's Wife'' when the announcement was made. <ref>"Eric Bana Cast as Villain 'Nero' in New Movie." {{bl|www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2309715.html|StarTrek.com, 9 October 2007.}}</ref><ref>Siegel, Tatiana. "Eric Bana set as ''Star Trek'' villain." [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117973728.html?categoryid=2429&cs=1] ''Variety'', 9 October 2007.</ref> Before Bana's casting, it was reported that [[Paramount Pictures]] were seeking Academy Award-winning actor {{w|Russell Crowe}} to play the role of Nero. <ref>Stax. "Exploring The Next ''Star Trek''." [http://movies.ign.com/articles/811/811513p2.html] IGN Movies, 8 August 2007.</ref> Bana was the first of three ''Star Trek'' cast members with a strong connection to comedy; his co-stars [[John Cho]] ([[Hikaru Sulu|Sulu]]) and especially [[Simon Pegg]] ([[Montgomery Scott|Scotty]]) are also known for their comedic works.

Despite being the film's primary villain, Bana described his role as a "cameo," stating Nero to be "a great character" and that he "couldn't say no." <ref>Sutherland, Claire. "Eric Bana happy to stay on couch" [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23159453-2862,00.html] ''The Daily Telegraph'', 5 February 2008.</ref> However, sources revealed to TrekMovie.com that Bana's characterization of the role as being a "cameo" was an understatement, and that Nero was much more than that. <ref>Pascale, Anthony. "Bana Talks A Little About ''Trek''." {{TrekMovie.com|2008/02/04/bana-talks-a-little-about-trek/}} TrekMovie.com, 4 February 2008.</ref> Bana later clarified his statements in an interview with ''Cinematical'':
:''...what I mean is that in the context of the roles I usually do, the weight is firmly on other areas ... It's not one of those roles where you're carrying the movie, is what I'm saying. I feel like I'm very much in a supporting role, not one of the main guys. ... It's a luxury to not be in that position. It's nice to be offered a part like that.'' <ref>Stewart, Ryan. "Eric Bana Talks About Playing Nero in ''Star Trek''" [http://www.cinematical.com/2008/02/11/eric-bana-talks-about-playing-nero-in-star-trek/] ''Cinematical'', 11 February 2008.</ref>

Bana began filming his part on ''Star Trek'' sometime between 20 February and 28 February 2008. He had to miss the New York premiere of ''The Other Boleyn Girl'' due to his work on ''Trek''. <ref>Pascale, Anthony. "Eric Bana Thinks ''Trek'' Is Going To Be Fun." {{TrekMovie.com|2008/03/02/eric-bana-thinks-trek-is-going-to-be-fun/}} TrekMovie.com, 2 March 2008.</ref> For the role of Nero, Bana was required to shave his head bald, as were all other actors portraying Romulans. <ref>Pascale, Anthony. "Bana Shaves Head For Nero + Pegg Loses The Blond." {{TrekMovie.com|2008/02/26/bana-shaves-head-for-nero-pegg-goes-brown/}} TrekMovie.com, 26 February 2008.</ref><ref>TrekMovie.com staff. "Yelchin, Cho & Bana Video Interviews [UPDATED: 2 new videos]." {{TrekMovie.com|2008/02/27/yelchin-cho-bana-video-interviews/}} TrekMovie.com, 27 February 2008.</ref><ref>Pascale, Anthony. "''Star Trek'' Villain Spoilers." {{TrekMovie.com|2008/05/16/star-trek-villain-spoilers/}} TrekMovie.com, 16 May 2008.</ref> His work on the film was completed by {{d|27|March|2008}}, when principal photography wrapped. <ref>Pascale, Anthony. "''Star Trek'' Wraps." {{TrekMovie.com|2008/03/27/star-trek-wraps-principal-photography/}} TrekMovie.com, 27 March 2008.</ref>

Reflecting on the role in 2013, Bana noted most people did not realize he played Nero. "I still get people today who just saw ''Star Trek'' and had no idea. Someone just told me yesterday, 'You're in ''Star Trek'', and when it came out I had no idea it was you.' That's a huge kick. No, I love that." He added he did not receive any backlash for [[Destruction of Vulcan|destroying]] {{alt|Vulcan}}.<ref>Ryan, Mike. "Eric Bana, 'Closed Circuit' Star, Is A Lot Different Than You Probably Think He Is." [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/26/eric-bana-closed-circuit_n_3816932.html] The Huffington Post, 26 August 2013.</ref>

The {{y|2013}} [[Games|virtual collectible card battle game]] ''[[Star Trek: Rivals]]'' is using his picture for card #104 "Romulan Captain Nero".