Paying homage to an iconic franchise like Star Trek isn’t an easy thing to do but JJ Abrams and crew have certainly tried from obvious shout-outs to the Original Series to the more subtle nuances such as bringing certain figures known for their own attachment to the Trek-verse. The best way to do that is by cameo appearances by key personnel who have a direct link to the franchise or those who over the many years have been vocal about their love of the series in all its incarnations.

Abrams has included such appearances for both of his Trek films. He did so on a limited scale in the first film titled simply “Star Trek” with the biggest kudo possible by getting the original Spock, Leonard Nimoy, to appear as Spock Prime for nearly the length of the entire movie. Two of the lesser known cameos came from someone tied to the franchise. One genetically and the other through an intense life-long love that extended to the depths of his pocket book and career choice. The first is Christopher Doohan, son of famed Star Trek actor James Doohan, the one and only Captain Montgomery “Scotty” Scott. Chris had a very small non-speaking role in the first film and was briefly seen sitting next to the new Scotty played by Simon Pegg. In this second film Chris’ role has been expanded to a small speaking part as the Enterprises’ Chief Transporter Officer. During the first film James Cawley, the creator, producer and actor of the first highly successful “Trek fan series” Star Trek Phase II (aka New Voyages) made a brief appearance as a command bridge officer. However, he was missing from Into Darkness.

Other interesting cameos include a non-person. Author and economist Zecharia Sitchin spent nearly 70 years making the world familiar with what he called the 12th Planet – Nibiru. And while his planet makes a cameo for this movie it’s not quite what Sitchin had imagined. Real people cameos include several actors from the highly anticipated fan production “Star Trek Continues,” who were on hand as the Starfleet Ceremonial Honor Guard. By-the-way, the Star Trek Continues first full episode will debut at this year’s Phoenix Comic Con May 23-26, 2013 and soon after that worldwide online. Chris Doohan stars in his father’s role as Montgomery Scott in Star Trek Continues – full Scottish brogue in tact.

One of Abrams’ biggest cameo catches was that of actress Aisha Hinds, best known as Miss Jeannette in the award winning HBO “True Blood” series. She comes on board the Enterprise as a Navigation Bridge Officer and plays a prominent role in the Enterprise’s mission. Aisha will be seen next in the new television series “Under the Dome” based on a story by Stephen King and produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television production company.

Jason Matthews Smith is back as security officer Lt. Hendorff, the guy that kind of beat Kirk to a pulp in the first film. Amanda Foreman (Parenthood) returns as Ensign Brackett and Sean Blackmore (Stargate Universe) gives us our first real look at Klingons in this alternate Trek timeline.

The most interesting cameo choice was the inclusion of famed producer, director and writer Akiva Goldsman (I Am Legend, Fringe, Jonah Hex) as one of several Starfleet Admirals seen in one of the film’s most crucial scenes. Finally, one cameo didn’t include an onscreen shot. SNL’s Bill Hader provided the voice for the starship USS Vengeance’s computer.