You can now put all the rumors aside. Russell Crowe and Gerard Butler are likely off the villain list of possible baddies for the next Star Trek film from J.J. Abrams.

Enter from stage left is The Hulk himself, Eric Bana, who can soon be seen in “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” You read it right. Bana has signed on to star as a villain named Nero and at the moment that is all we know because the rest of the character’s development and storyline is being kept more hidden than any nation’s top military secrets.

Bana joins the current cast comprising Leonard Nimoy as the older Spock, Zachary Quinto (“Heroes”) as the younger Vulcan Starfleet officer, Anton Yelchin as Chekov and Zoe Saldana as the beautiful communications offer Uhura. The roles of Scotty and Sulu are yet to be filled.

Insiders are telling us that Bana may not be the only bad guy in the anticipated eleventh film in the 41-year old franchise, so that door for Crowe or Butler could still be open. Of course, the two biggest doors left ajar are, will William Shatner be boarding the Enterprise one more time and who will J.J. chose for the most important Star Trek character ever, the younger version of Captain James Tiberius Kirk? The famed director/producer is scouring all the acting haunts throughout L.A., New York and London to find his Kirk.

“Star Trek” will bow on Christmas Day 2008.