Tom Cruise visits the set of new Star Trek movie

Tom Cruise surprised cast and crew on set of the new 'Star Trek' movie this week, after stopping by to see pal J.J. Abrams.

Cruise's visit fueled rumors the actor, 45, would be making a cameo in the new Sci-Fi flick.

"Tom visited the set of the movie and chatted with J.J. Abrams,” a source close to the actor tells MSNBC.com's The Scoop.

The last time the 'Top Gun' star was on-set of a movie he wasn’t said to be signed on for — Tropic Thunder — it turned out he had a small role.

The visit to the Star Trek set, however, was for pleasure, not business.

"He asked J.J. if there’s a way he can meet Leonard Nimoy. He said he’d always really respected his work," said the source.

Star Trek is due for release in summer 2009; Tropic Thunder hits theaters this August; and Cruise’s historical thriller film Valkyrie will be released in October.