Before he became Thor, Chris Hemsworth's big break came when he played James Kirk's father George in the opening scenes of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek. He was a relative unknown back in 2009, but only two years later he would become an international star thanks to his title role in 2011's Thor.

But did you know the part almost went to someone else? Mark Wahlberg revealed in a new interview with Total Film that Abrams had first offered him the part.

"I remember [J.J. Abrams] asking me to play Captain Kirk’s father in Star Trek," he recalled. "I tried to read the script, but I couldn’t even -- I didn’t understand the words or dialogue or anything, and I said, 'I couldn’t do this. I think you’re really talented but I couldn’t do it.' Then I saw the movie and I was like, 'Holy shit, he did a great job.'"

Honestly, we're a glad that the role went to Hemsworth. Having Wahlberg be involved, no matter for how short a period of time, would have been distracting to the audience -- especially as leading man Chris Pine was still a relative newcomer as well. Besides, would this have meant Wahlberg would have been cast as Thor? We don't even want to think of that alternate reality.

If he still wanted to, Abrams could probably find another role for Wahlberg in a future Star Trek film. Somehow we doubt the director is planning to stop the franchise with Star Trek Into Darkness, no matter what his commitment is to Star Wars: Episode VII.

Star Trek Into Darkness, which opens May 17, also stars Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Bruce Greenwood, Alice Eve and Peter Weller.