Benedict Cumberbatch Lands Villain Role in STAR TREK 2
J.J. Abrams’ highly-anticipated Star Trek sequel has been busy casting lately. Deadline reports that Sherlock himself, Benedict Cumberbatch, has joined the cast of Star Trek 2. Variety’s Jeff Sneider (via Collider) confirms that he has landed the role of the villain, the same villain which Edgar Ramirez auditioned for. It looks as though the rumors of Khan being the villain are wrong.
The sequels story was penned by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, and Damon Lindelof. He joins Noel Clarke, Alice Eve, and Peter Weller as new additions to the film. Chris Pine, Zach Quinto, and Zoe Saldana are expected to reprise their roles in the film, which Paramount is slated to release on May 17, 2013.
Cumberbatch can currently be seen in War Horse and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. He is also set to portray Smaug the Dragon with the help of motion capture and voice the ‘Necromancer’ in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There And Back Again. He is best known for playing Holmes in BBC's modern-day adaptation. He garnerd a BAFTA TV nomination for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in 2004's Hawking.
If you have not watched Sherlock, I highly recommend you take the time to check it out on Netflix Instant. As a fan of Sherlock Holmes, this is a wonderful modern-day take on the classic character. Cumberbatch is such a talented actor and will make a wonderfully devious villain. I am excited to see Star Trek 2 and hope it lives up to the hype surrounding it.
What are your thoughts on this news? Do you think Cumberbatch will make a good villain?