The J.J. Abrams relaunch of the Star Trek franchise was a fairly successful bit of action cinema. Not being a fan of the original series, or any of the subsequent ones, I might not be the best person to give a recommendation for the film from a fan standpoint, but to me it was a very above-par piece of action fare. So of course the film would get a sequel, and of course a new villain would be cast. Today, that eventuality has come to pass.
Benedict Cumberbatch, the British thespian most recently featured in War Horse and Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, has been cast as the enemy of Spock, Kirk, and all the rest. No word has yet come down as to who this villain will be, but the scuttlebutt on the internet is that it will most likely be Khan, who was previously played by none other than Ricardo Montalban. Cumberbatch was good in War Horse (though the horse got more characterization) and was a standout in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. As such, I’m pretty excited about his role in this film.
Then again, like I said, I am not a fan of the original series. Does anyone else out there have an inkling as to who Cumberbatch might be if not Khan? Would he make a good Khan? Do all real Trek fans disown this new incarnation? Have it out below, and see Star Trek 2 in theaters May 17, 2013
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Twitter: ruth_richardsoptusnet.com.au
January 5, 2012 12:49 am
I’m a big fan of the Star Trek series, and really loved what J.J Abrams did with it. Khan is the only villain popping into my head right now. Unless he’s playing a completely new character, which is always possible (Nero was completely new).
Hmm…he might be playing a Klingon if Abrams decides to go down that route.
I loved the new Star Trek and I’m a huge fan of Cumberbatch due to Sherlock. Can’t wait for this!
Twitter: manilovefilms
January 5, 2012 7:57 am
I’m not sure why people keep thinking that Khan is a factor. Now, I’m not a Trekker or anything like that, but with this new series, Abrams and Co. reset the timeline! If memory serves, I’m pretty sure Khan was someone from the original series show that Kirk pissed off; to this point in the new movies, there is no Khan, so to rehash him as a villain (or anything else from the old show/movies) would essentially mean that the new timeline angle was pointless.
Anyway, The Guy with the Terrible Name. Sure, why not. Brits always make for good villains, right Mark Strong?
A quote from his IMDB page: “Cumberbatch – it sounds like a fart in a bath, doesn’t it? What a fluffy old name. I can never say it on a Monday morning. When I became an actor, Mum wasn’t keen on me keeping it.”
Twitter: manilovefilms
January 5, 2012 8:54 am
Hahahahahaha!
We should help him out and call him “Ben Batch.”
Better than Dic Cum.
Like you said, bringing Khan into the mix makes no sense now that the timelines have differed. Klingons seems like a reasonable bet; they are still enemies of the Federation I believe. Cumberbatch is awesome as Sherlock Holmes on Masterpiece Mystery, but I could definitely see him playing a real ruthless villain.
I still say that Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the greatest names ever, no matter what Dylan says.
Oh, and I agree he’s great in Sherlock.