A Dubai-based model and actor was shortlisted for a major role in the upcoming Star Trek: Beyond film. While he didn't get the part, he's still all smiles about the experience.
Jake Ofrasio, 33, originally from the Philippines, was asked by Dubai-based casting agency Miranda Davidson Studios to send in headshots for a project, without further information.
“After about a week Miranda called me and told me that I had been shortlisted for Star Trek, and that it was actually a part and not just an extra,” Ofrasio said “I was ecstatic! I couldn’t believe it.”
He went on to explain more about the role: “It was for the role of Sulu’s husband and I was supposed to be [on] another planet eagerly waiting for my husband to come home from a space exploration. But then our planet comes under attack and I have to do everything I can to save our daughter.”
Sulu will be played by actor John Cho, in an homage to George Takei, who originated the role in the TV series.
Despite a follow-up video audition, the role of Sulu's husband went to Doug Jung, a writer for Star Trek: Beyond.
But Ofrasio isn't mad! He reflected on the audition process positively:
“I wasn’t disappointed. I was just honoured to even think that all these powerful people in Hollywood had even seen little clip,” Ofrasio said. “I think the fact that John Cho couldn’t make it to the Dubai shoot had something to do with it. It was such a good experience anyway.”
He also didn't leave entirely empty-handed - you can still spot Ofrasio as an extra in one of the scenes filmed in Dubai.
Ofrasio works as a video editor in Dubai while pursues his acting career.
