Chris Pine admits that his role in J.J. Abrams's "Star Trek" has opened up many new opportunities for the young actor.  "I've been really blessed from 'Star Trek' to get more opportunities than I had previously in my career." says Pine, 29 & Captain Kirk redeux in Star Trek XI.  In an interview with the Orange County Register, Pine talks about his reasoning for picking certain roles and his upcoming part in "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" set to open July 11th at the Music Center downtown Los Angeles.

The Orange County Register: Did you see this play before landing the role of Padraic, its dark-hearted leading man?

Christopher Pine: I did not. I was more familiar with McDonagh from his film work, the short he won the Oscar for and "In Bruges," which I was a huge fan of. From there I discovered his theater work. In college I had done a scene from "The Cripple of Inishmaan." And I had heard from a lot of my friends in New York about how much they'd enjoyed ("Inishmore").

Register: How did your life change after "Star Trek"?

Pine: I've been really blessed from "Star Trek" to get more opportunities than I had previously in my career. And I just wait for the good material. I've been lucky in that I've gotten to play on the really big stage with Denzel (Washington) and Tony Scott (Pine will star in the upcoming Scott film "Unstoppable" with Washington). Counter that with these theater productions, which are a whole different thing. I just try to follow what's good and what interests me and challenges me and makes me think and engages a part of me. It's so rare to get all of your muscles firing at once. That's what I look for in any role. (source Orange County Register)

Check out the full interview here.