Well, kind of. TrekMovie is reporting that Benedict Cumberbatch has been cast in the role of the so-far unnamed villain for JJ Abram’s Star Trek reboot sequel. This is the role that was first offered to Benicio Del Toro, but which he eventually turned down. At the time of Del Toro’s involvement, rumours had been rife that he was set to play a rebooted version of probably the most iconic Star Trek villain, Khan Noonien Singh, once famously portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán.
Cumberbatch has been quickly creating a name for himself through marvelous turns in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and War Horse, as well playing the dragon Smaug in Peter Jackson’s upcoming adaptation of The Hobbit. But he is most famously known for the lead role in Steven Moffat’s current BBC Sherlock miniseries, in which he plays a modern incarnation of the classic literary character. The show is nothing short of spectacular, and a large part of that is due to Cumberbatch’s amazingly nuanced performance. (Wait, what do you mean that you haven’t seen it yet? Do you have some strange allergy to things that are actually good? Go get it!)
So what do you think? Would you like to see Cumberbatch don the infamous chest-less shirt and super-mullet? Personally, I feel that he is such a great actor he could probably play any Star Trek Villain menacingly well. Yes, even the Gorn.
Last Updated: January 5, 2012
Anonymous
January 5, 2012 at 10:02
If Cumbermatch does not play the role with a swarthy accent and a prosthetic muscular chest, I will be sorely disappointed.
Evil Dr Twisted
January 5, 2012 at 10:12
Whichever villain he plays, he’ll do it awesomely!
He does seem to be a tall guy…almost like he’d be suited for a Vulcan or Romulan (doubt they’d go that route again)
Justin Hess
January 5, 2012 at 10:41
I hope it’s an entirely new character and not someone from the old canon. This new Trek has to create its own identity, no play the old hits
Kervyn Cloete
January 5, 2012 at 11:21
To a certain extent, I agree with you. But we’ve already seen a new villain in Nero – a massive waste of Eric Bana potential though – so one or two oldies could be welcome.