Koenig on Chekov and 'Star Trek'

Walter Koenig found out that encounters with fans could be sweet or they could be downright odd.

As reported by Roddenberry.com, most of Koenig's interactions with fans were pleasant. "My mail was almost exclusively from kids, from eight to fourteen years old," he said, speaking of his Star Trek days. "I got a lot of fan mail on lined paper and pencil saying that I was groovy."

But occasionally, he has had the bizarre request. "I had one where a fan asked me if I would come up to her room and sacrifice a chicken." Koenig declined that request, handing it off to another actor.

Koenig was surprised that he never took criticism for portraying a Russian during a time when Russian-American relations were strained. "I never received any vitriolic mail or anyone challenging the right to have a Russian character on the Enterprise," he said.

Although not in Star Trek XI, Koenig has a positive opinion of the project. "I think the movie is a great idea and I hope they really do a terrific job," he said. "I have no reason to believe they won't. I know J.J. Abrams is a very sharp guy and he is obviously extremely successful, and the cast I got to visit on the set...seems to be very confident, very good performers and interesting personalities. So I'm sure that they'll have a good film."

He also had kind words about Anton Yelchin who is playing the role that Koenig made famous. "I talked to Anton. He came by and we actually spent a couple of hours talking. [He is a] very ingenuous pleasant young man. He already has a career. He's already quite well-established so this will add to his already building reputation as an actor."

To hear more, head to the video located here.

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