Wow, how much of a Geek-gasm is this! Along with being Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein (and his Monster) AND Smaug the Dragon in THE (freakin’) HOBBIT, Benedict Cumberbatch has been cast in the new STAR TREK sequel. Not only that, but he is likely to be the villain!
We here at THN realise that too many exclamation points in a news article may decrease its credibility, but to quote Syndrome, “Oh, come ON! You gotta admit this is COOL!”
Okay. Decorum.
Cumberbatch is not only known for his sci-fi work, he has proven himself in such cinematic heavyweight dramas as WAR HORSE and TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, in which he shone, even amongst such a glittering cast. But it’s his mesmerising portrayal of The Great Detective in the BBC’s recent reboot of SHERLOCK that has brought him new levels of attention and acclaim. The Watson to his Holmes, Martin Freeman, will star opposite him as Bilbo Baggins in next years THE HOBBIT.
The as yet untitled STAR TREK 2 has been on something of a casting spree of late, with the recent signing of fellow Brit Alice Eve (MEN IN BLACK 3) and Peter Weller (ROBOCOP). They join returning cast members Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Simon Pegg. Variety reports that Cumberbatch has landed the role that Edgar Ramirez (WRATH OF THE TITANS) auditioned for, which was rumoured to be Kirk’s nemesis, Khan. If this were true, walls would shake from Fan-Boy/Girl excitement and windows would shatter from worldwide screams of ‘KHAAAAAAAN!!’
In all seriousness, this is terrific news as he is a gifted actor. His performance in STUART: A LIFE BACKWARDS made me cry, and he happens to have the most enjoyable name I’ve ever heard.
JJ Abrams’ STAR TREK 2: THE WRATH OF BENEDICT (Alleged!) is due for release on May 17th, 2013
Source:Deadline
