I’m getting a really skewed view of sci-fi geeks. In my line of work, I keep talking to glamorous stars who display their obsessive knowledge of science fiction and fantasy. I’m starting to think they all look like gorgeous actresses. Ming-Na unleashed her sci-fi knowledge when I talked to her about her role on Stargate Universe. We ended up geeking out all night.

Crave Online: Do you have any gratification that the new Street Fighter Chun Li movie totally sucked?

Ming-Na: I don't know if it’s gratification. I mean, it’s none of that. I really wish they had a made a great movie and a story about an Asian character that was sort of played by an Asian. [Laughs] She’s part Asian. But, there’s no gratification. I never like to see anyone fail because I know how much hard work goes into a project, so yeah.

Crave Online: Were you looking for another TV series after ER and Vanished?

Ming-Na: I love doing TV. It’s so great for my world as a mom, as someone who likes to have a steady job and go to work feeling secure because I’m with a family. So I was looking for another TV series and actually my agent, Andy, came up with a great deal.

Crave Online: Did it matter what genre it was? Were you looking for something different?

Ming-Na: I wasn’t, I really just wanted to work on something where I felt I could stretch and grow as an actor and have fun things to do. Being a sci-fi geek, it was just lovely to be on a show where I pretend I’m in outer space. That’s always been my dream to pretend to be out in space or actually be out in space.

Crave Online: What are your sci-fi obsessions?

Ming-Na: My obsessions have always been with Star Trek and the new Star Trek movie, J.J. Abrams just rocked it. I love Star Wars. That’s my heart and soul. I used to read a lot of sci-fi and fantasy, Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle and Asimov, Bradbury, all the classics. If you pretty much read any sci-fi project that was ever out, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Arthur C. Clarke is like god. I was a total sci-fi geek. Star Wars was my ultimate favorite. Aliens, just pretty much all of them and I read a lot. That was just something that I love because I was able to escape into these incredible worlds and fantasize about being in outer space.

Crave Online: Just how into Star Wars were you? Like have you still been recently?

Ming-Na: Well, maybe… I’ll just say Empire Strikes Back and I loved the old Star Trek series.

Crave Online: How about Ewok Adventure and Battle for Endor?

Ming-Na: Shhh. Don’t talk about Ewoks. That’s the other [thing]. Don’t talk about Ewoks.

Crave Online: Remember, they did two TV movies.

Ming-Na: No, don’t. Don’t talk about it.

Crave Online: What, you don’t like Ewoks?

Ming-Na: I think he just missed a little bit on the Ewoks, but then there was…

Crave Online: I don’t have a problem with them.

Ming-Na: Yeah, really? Well, what about…

Crave Online: Yes, subsequent characters were problematic.

Ming-Na: Yes, yes. Ewoks, you know, but hey, those scooters going through the forest. Oh, the speeder bikes. Amazing sequences. I remember just being so blown away and if you look at any new sci-fi anything, they always copy Star Wars when they go through the tunnels. Every single one. I’m like, “Seriously? Seriously, we have to see this sequence again?”

Crave Online: How cool is the Destiny?

Ming-Na: It’s fabulous. The set is amazing. I wish people could come and visit us on the set because it really is remarkable what they’ve done. They’ve built a beautiful, huge set for us to play in.

Crave Online: Had you been offered SF shows before?

Ming-Na: No, and I’ve always wanted to. I mean, I’ve always dreamed that George Lucas would call me one day and ask me to be in one of the Star Wars films. I’ve met them all. I’ve met Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hammill and George. I even had George sign one of the original Star Wars script before it was called Star Wars. It was called… it had Luke Skywalker’s name in it. It’s escaping me.

Crave Online: The Adventures of Luke Starkiller.

Ming-Na: Starkiller! Good job. Ooh, I like you. I have the script with George Lucas’s signature on it. How much is that going to sell on eBay, eh? And I have some of the first editions of Star Wars comics.