What’s On has details of the Star Trek Beyond film, which is hosting an open casting call for Dubai actors from August 11 to 13.

Live long, prosper, and appear in a movie.

It’s not got quite the same ring to it but if you fancy a small role in a blockbuster movie, now’s your chance.

Star Trak Beyond, which begins shooting in Dubai next month, is reportedly holding open casting sessions this week for trekkies keen to appear in the third installment of the sci-fi franchise.

According to The National newspaper, backers of the movies have appealed to those aged six to 70 – and of any nationality – to go along to the open casting from Tuesday August 11 to Thursday August 13 at Dubai Studio City soundstage building B from 2pm to 8pm.

Local casting agency Miranda Davidson Studios who recently put out the announcement have not confirmed that the casting call was for the sci-fi movie, but that ‘conversations with the agency themselves and the local industry bigwigs strongly suggest that it is.’

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What to expect at the Star Trek casting call

The nerdier members of team What’s On popped down to Studio City to try our luck at the casting call, in the hope of rubbing shoulders with some Hollywood A-listers. While our plan to become best pals with Chris Pine didn’t quite get off the ground, here’s what we learned:

1) Arrive early. When we sauntered up at 3pm, there were at least 150 people in the queue ahead of us already

2) Don’t forget to bring either your passport or Emirates ID, otherwise you won’t be allowed to take part

3) Be prepared to wait around. It took us three hours to reach the front of the queue – that’s just how keen we were for a chance to get anywhere near the USS Enterprise. Bring a book, some snacks and ideally, an equally enthusiastic friend

4) There was no need to break out our Scotty impressions  – this initial stage is all about having your picture taken and being measured for (we hope) our costumes.

5) There were people of all ages, genders and professions lining up to be cast as extras. One British expat, Ian Maddox, had brought along his two young children Elizabeth and George. “I thought it’d be an experience, and something to remember when they’re older,” he said. “We can talk about that time we lived in Dubai and auditioned for Star Trek!” His friend Dave Smith also said it would be “cool to be on the big screen back in the UK.”

6) Three firefighters – Eddie Garbutt, James Toland and James Muirhead – are based in Abu Dhabi but drove all the way from the capital for the casting call. “We aren’t really into the TV series but the movies are brilliant and the casting is amazing. Our favourite is Simon Pegg,” Eddie said.

Only last month Dubai was chosen as one of the filming locations for the upcoming Star Trek film, the third in the franchise.

In a recent interview with Slashfilm, producers David Ellison and Dana Goldberg confirmed that shooting would begin imminently in Vancouver and Dubai.

Although Dubai’s futuristic skyline seems like it would make the perfect setting for a sci-fi city, it’s just as likely that it’s the huge swathes of desert and dunes will feature in the forthcoming film. Rumour has it that the location will represent a strange, new alien planet.

Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana are all set to reprise their roles as Kirk, Spock and Uhura respectively in the new film.