Marilyn Manson, Zoe Saldana Honor Anton Yelchin on Late Actor’s 29th Birthday
On what would have been Anton Yelchin’s 29th birthday, his “Star Trek” co-star Zoe Saldana and musician Marilyn Manson paid tribute to the late actor.
“Happy birthday Anton- in our hearts forever,” tweeted Saldana, including a picture of her with Yelchin and fellow “Star Trek” castmates Karl Urban and John Cho.
In J.J. Abrams’ rebooted “Star Trek” trilogy, Yelchin played the Enterprise’s science prodigy Pavel Chekhov, taking over the role made famous by Walter Koenig over 50 years ago. Yelchin died in a freak car accident in June 2016, just a month before the third installment in the series, “Star Trek: Beyond,” was released in theaters. A tribute was included in the film’s credits, and Abrams said that Chekov will not be recast in future films.
Musician Marilyn Manson also noted the day with a touching tweet: “I miss and wish I could be spending Anton Yelchin’s birthday together with him today. A- You will always be remembered. And I’ll miss you brother. I know you would have hated this twitter message. But it is making you laugh somewhere, you genius. M.”
Coincidentally, Yelchin’s birthday comes on the same weekend as his final film, “Thoroughbreds” enters theaters. In the new thriller, Yelchin plays Tim, a hapless, frequently beaten-up drug dealer who gets blackmailed by a rich girl and her emotionless best friend into becoming an accomplice in killing her wretched stepfather. Filming on “Thoroughbreds” was completed two weeks before Yelchin’s death.
Related stories from TheWrap:
Anton Yelchin's 'Like Crazy' Director Posts Moving Tribute One Year After Actor's Death (Video)
'Thoroughbred' Director 'Grateful' for Chance to Work With the Late Anton Yelchin (Video)
JJ Abrams: 'There's No Re-Casting' Anton Yelchin Role in 'Star Trek' Series