James Kyson Lee, who plays Ando Takahashi on "Heroes," is having a stellar year. Now a regular cast member on the NBC series, he took some time out recently to talk to TV Guide about his role as warriors against the Dark Side.

"What's great about these characters is that through their friendship, they're able to overcome obstacles together," Lee said. "I see them as Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Like Luke, Hiro is burdened with his mission. Ando is more the happy-go-lucky guy looking for the next adventure, sort of like Han Solo. Put them together and it's magical. And there's room for a lot of humor."

And like Han Solo, it's unlikely Ando will ever get a taste of the Force, in this case a power, like his friend Hiro.

"I fully embrace him as an ordinary mortal, but if they write me one, great," Lee said. "Hopefully it will be something cool. I do want to get in the mix a little bit. To get in there and do some action — sword fighting, martial arts."

Ando has definitely changed since the first episode, going from picking up cowboy qualities since coming to America to being a much stronger sidekick.

"He's in a completely different place," Lee said. "He's a self-inspired warrior. After all, he decided to kill Sylar even though he doesn't have any powers. YOu have to give him credit. He's naive, yet somehow heroic."

This season, Hiro has been communicating with Ando from 1671 Japan by hiding tiny scrolls with his adventures on them in the handle of Kensei's sword - which he gave to Ando before fighting Sylar.

"Last week I recruited some help to decode the secret scrolls; that's how I found out what exactly is taking place with my friend," Lee said about his character. "I found someone who is an expert at decoding ancient writing. It has an Indiana Jones feel to it. It's almost like discovering the Dead Sea Scrolls — a major, major artifact."

Lee also promised that he and Hiro would be together again soon.

"That's our destiny. There are more villains to tackle — Molly's bogeyman, the whole so-called Dirty Dozen — and we have to go after them, and that will be dangerous," he said.

Lee did admit that he was in the running to play Sulu in the upcoming "Star Trek XI" film, but joining his castmate Zachary Quinto in the film was just too much for the studio to handle.

"When my name came up at Paramount, there were too many obstacles," he said "They had Zach from the show to play Spock and they had to write him off 'Heroes' for about three months. To do that with two characters would be impossible. It would have been cool to be part of it."

The part eventually went to fellow Korean John Cho, who like Lee will have to take on a traditionally Japanese role. But Lee isn't convinced that the part's originator, George Takei, isn't going to come back at some point to "Heroes."

"I actually was in San Diego a few weeks ago and I gave a Lifetime Achievement Award to George Takei at an Asian-American film festival," Lee said. "He and I have developed a good friendship on and off the set. I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't the last of George on the show. There are always flashbacks and trips back in time."

Read the full interview with James Kyson Lee by clicking here.

"Heroes" airs on NBC Mondays at 9 p.m. ET.