This is how you measure progress: eight years after playing a "red-shirt" in "Galaxy Quest," Sam Rockwell told MTV News that he's ready to trade up for a green one...as the legendary Captain Kirk in J.J. Abrams' new "Star Trek."

"I would love to play Captain Kirk. That's a great part," the actor gushed, adding -- with a nod towards "Galaxy Quest" -- "Great costumes!"

But there's more to playing Kirk than the right wardrobe, Rockwell mused. There's. Also. The. (Long Pause) Halting. Voice. "I would love to be a William Shatner reincarnation," Rockwell insisted. "[But] I don't know if I could copy Bill Shatner. I mean, he's just too genius. I don't know if I could copy that cadence." (After the jump, read Rockwell's casting suggestions, and see a video of his impersonating Shatner's classic style alongside our own Tim Kash). Read more...