The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed rumors that playwright, actor and director Tyler Perry, best known for his Madea films and the TBS television series Tyler Perry's House of Payne, will play a small but crucial role in J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek film.  Perry will portray the superintendent of Starfleet Academy.

Rumors have it that Perry's key scene involves a hearing concerning a cheating scandal involving Cadet James T. Kirk -- viewers who paid close attention during Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan will be aware of the nature of Kirk's offense.

Paramount has set the release date for the new Star Trek film, which is currently in production -- Christmas Day, 2008.