Both TrekMovie and Ain’t It Cool News are now reporting what has generally been assumed, but never confirmed, Benedict Cumberbatch will be playing Khan in the upcoming Untitled Star Trek Sequel (aka Star Trek 2).
The role was originally played by the late Ricardo Montalban in the original “Star Trek” television series and then once again in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in 1982. For the longest time Khan was rumored to be the film’s villain, particularly when Benicio del Toro was being sought for the role only to turn it down, but now it seems to be a reality.
The largest reason this bothers me is due to the great lengths director J.J. Abrams and screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman went to create what is essentially a brand new timeline in the Star Trek universe where anything was possible. So what do they do? They go back to a character that has already been utilized in what is largely considered the best Star Trek film to date? How does that make sense? Why create the alternate timeline?
I guess it just bothers me when you realize that instead of creating something entirely new, the filmmakers had to resort to something familiar as opposed to something unique. Quite frankly it surprises me a little that Abrams would go that route.
Alternatively, I am obviously making a big deal without having all the information and without knowing the film’s plot, but I can’t help but have a response. On top of this news it is also being reported Klingons will also be involved and Leonard Nimoy will once again make an appearance as elder Spock.
I am still very excited to see what Abrams and crew are able to do with the sequel and see Cumberbatch in the role. As for the alternate timeline, well, considering Khan’s appearance in the world of Star Trek is due to a mission that began in the 1990s it makes perfect sense that he and his cryogenically frozen passengers would still be floating around in space in the SS Botany Bay in the late 2200s (I looked and think the first film ends in 2258), but the idea of Kirk (Chris Pine) and his crew stumbling on the derelict ship all over again is just weak if you ask me, even if the manner in which the ship is found changes and Khan teams with Klingons or something. I don’t know, this is just me showing my geeky side I guess… I’m a bit of a fan of the original “Trek” series if you couldn’t tell.
Star Trek 2 is set to hit theaters on May 17, 2013.
