Known for nabbing choice roles in a slew of high-profile franchises, most recently for his lauded incarnations as Dredd in the eponymous 2012 reboot and as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the Star Trek reboot films, New Zealand native Karl Urban is due in Montreal for the 2014 edition of Montreal Comiccon running September 12 through September 14. Not his first time passing through the city, Urban was in Montreal in 2012 while shooting “Riddick.”

Having had a chance to chat with the Kiwi thespian about his upcoming projects, Urban slipped in a Star Trek 3 scoop, the latest on the Dredd sequel saga, and I tried to find out what the secret is behind his growing reputation as an actor who nails his characters, whether heavies or heroes, so on point that even the toughest critics have trouble finding fault.

Evelyn Reid: First off, congratulations on winning the geographic lottery. Born in New Zealand, only the most beautiful country in the world.

Karl Urban: [laughs]. That’s true, that’s true. I’d like to take credit for that but I’ll have to pass that on to my parents. But you know, I have worked in Canada on a multitude of occasions and let me tell you, it’s a very, very beautiful country too. We’re looking into shooting, I believe, the next Star Trek in Canada. And I’m looking forward to heading back.

Evelyn Reid: Are they thinking east coast or west coast?

Karl Urban: I’m not sure. I just heard it may take some place in Canada so…

Evelyn Reid: I don’t think there’s a fan of the original series who wasn’t impressed with your rendition of McCoy in the Star Trek reboots. It was almost as if you were DeForest Kelley at times. It left Leonard Nimoy in tears. And even though Star Trek Into Darkness allegedly let down some Trekkies if going on criticism that the film may have dumbed down Roddenberry’s vision, I to this day hear even extremely critical fans rave about your performance. Did your spot-on portrayal have something to do with you being a Trekkie yourself?

Karl Urban: Well, I don’t know if I’d define myself as a Trekkie but I certainly have a longstanding deep appreciation not only of Star Trek, but of most things science fiction. I grew up watching Spielberg/Lucas movies and obviously the Star Trek series on television and in the movies. So it’s kind of surreal for me to be in a position where I am now part of that world. And I’m very grateful for it.

“I know for a fact that the more work I put into a role, the more definition a character is going to have. It’s as simple as that. I don’t think that there’s any point in doing something if you don’t put your 150% or 200% into it.”

Evelyn Reid: But what makes a Trekkie a Trekkie? It seems rather clear that you loved the original series and really wanted to be part of the reboot. But for so long, the “Trekkie” label carried with it a social stigma. Has that changed? Can you now openly love and broadcast a passion for all things Star Trek and sci-fi/fantasy without being branded a social outcast?

Karl Urban: Absolutely! I believe so. You only have to look at the mainstream movies that the studios are making with the likes of Marvel, and the superhero franchises, like Guardians of the Galaxy. You know, it really has become quite popular and quite mainstream and I’ve been blessed to have gone to a number of Comiccon-style conventions and they are so much fun and it’s just so wonderful to see people absolutely relish their love for whatever avenue of pop culture floats their boat.

Evelyn: Right on. I personally didn’t realize how special these kind of events were until I finally went to cover a Comiccon in 2011 for About.com. It was my first time at this type of convention and like you said, it is really fun. I was surprised. I fell in love with the whole concept and haven’t looked back.

Karl Urban: Yeah. Honestly, it’s so much fun! I really enjoy going to these Comiccon events, and not only to meet the fans and tell some stories on the making-of films I’ve been involved with but also for the opportunity to look around, to look at toys and comics and art. There’s just so much to see and do.

Evelyn Reid: And the panels. They’ve got to be the highlight of the event. Getting to see all of these performers share anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories that don’t necessarily come out in formal media interviews… but to get back to you… just looking at your CV and the different personas you’ve incarnated—Eomer in LOTR, Bones, Dredd—you’ve developed a reputation for nailing your roles, as if you’re putting in extra, above-and-beyond hours to perfect your performance.

Karl Urban: Well, you know, what I do ends up on the screen. And once it’s there, it’s there for a long time…

Evelyn Reid: Yep.

Karl Urban: …and eternity is a long time [laughter]. You know what I mean? So I tend to have the opinion that [pause]… you better work hard. And I know for a fact that the more work I put into a role, the more definition a character is going to have. It’s as simple as that. I don’t think that there’s any point in doing something if you don’t put your 150% or 200% into it. It’s the only way I know how to approach something and you know? I want to stand back at the end of the day and be proud of it. There’s nothing worse than dedicating so much of your time and energy [only to] deliver something or be a part of something that is sub-par.

Evelyn Reid: Agreed.

Karl Urban: I’m pretty particular and pretty fastidious. I was taught to do the best you can. I guess I do have a Calvinistic work attitude. As I said to you, I have to be proud of what I do because I have to go out there and sell it to people. I don’t want to sell something to somebody that I don’t like or that I’m not happy to stand by so for me, it’s more than just the 12 weeks that you’re shooting a project. There’s the time and energy that goes into it before shooting and the time and energy you have to take to publicize afterwards. It’s a huge chunk of your life. It takes you away from your friends, from your family, so you know, it better be worth it.

Evelyn Reid: It’s pride in what you do.

Karl Urban: Yeah.

Evelyn Reid: Before I get into what you’re currently working on, I want to talk about Dredd. I’ve been following this saga since the beginning of the year. First producer Adi Shankar goes on the record that he doubts a Dredd sequel will be made when asked about one. Almost a year goes by and then, pop, it’s February 2014 and there you are, just casually mentioning in passing that, oh, there are talks of a “Dredd” sequel in the works. And then the Internet exploded.

Karl Urban: [loud belly laugh]. I don’t really have any news to add to what has already been said. But I’m going to be in London in a few weeks and I’ll be sitting down with [Dredd screenwriter] Alex Garland and the producers at DNA and you know what? What’s clear to me is that there’s a lot of love for Dredd. It’s kind of become a cult classic. Fans are screaming out for another instalment and I think it’s just about finding the right package and putting it together in a way that is going to work for financiers and work for the fans.

Evelyn Reid: For a film that’s garnered so much fan support, critical acclaim, Blue-ray and DVD sales, including support from many women who loved the film, who loved how the female characters were portrayed—Olivia Thirlby in particular—it’s odd that Dredd didn’t do well at the box office. Why is that? Was it a marketing fail?

Karl Urban: I think there’s a few reasons for it but I distinctly believe the fundamental problem as to why it didn’t do better was a simple lack of awareness. People didn’t know that it was out until it had already been out and that is a tragedy, especially when so many people put so much time and effort into Dredd. But the good news is that people have discovered it in ancillary mediums, whether on DVD or whatever. It’s become like a cult classic. And [my co-star] Olivia did an incredible job. Very proud of what she did. She was phenomenal to work with.

Evelyn Reid: I wanted to also talk about the movies you’re currently working on. I see that you’re involved in a remake of a 2008 Belgian crime thriller film about five men who share the costs of a loft to have a discrete place to bring their mistresses.

Karl Urban: Yeah, it should be scheduled to come out this year. There’s this other project, a New Zealand film that I’m super thrilled about that’s coming up. I can’t say too much about it, I don’t have it locked down just yet but I’m gonna shoot that hopefully within the next few months and then, we’re into Star Trek 3, which I’m super excited about.

Evelyn Reid: Great.

Karl Urban: Listen, I’ve got to cut this short. I’ve got to go coach my son’s basketball team. You can probably hear all the kids around me, going “what are you doing?! Get off the phone!” [Laughter].

Evelyn Reid: [Laughter]. Yeah, I hear ya. Looking forward to seeing you in Montreal.

Karl Urban: I’m really looking forward to coming back to Montreal [since filming Riddick there] and doing Comiccon. So many great people there. Looking forward to meeting more of you and having fun and laughing and just taking up the atmosphere.