J.J. Abrams made Zoe Saldana re-do her scenes in 'Star Trek Into Darkness'.

The actress - who reprises her role as communications officer Nyota Uhura in the hotly anticipated sequel to 2009's 'Star Trek' - found it difficult to keep up with the film's fast-paced, snappy dialogue as English isn't her first language and she often had to film numerous re-takes of her scenes.

She told Empire magazine: ''He writes these mouthfuls of dialogue and it's hard for me because Spanish my first language. So there were moments, at least once a day, where we'd have to cut and he was like, 'Zoe, it's not traject-ory, it's traj-ECT-ory.'

''Or he'd say, 'That was great, but this next take, say it all 30 per cent faster!' It was a trip.''

Despite finding it difficult to keep up with the director - who is known for being a perfectionist - the actress praised Abrams' ability to lead such an ambitious film.

She said: ''He's a wonderful leader because he's very demanding, but with such kindness and care that his crew and his cast feel a part of him.''

'Star Trek Into Darkness' is out on May 9.