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Just a month after going into production, we now have our first look at J.J. Abrams' Star Trek sequel. First set photos show Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock, and Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the movie's unknown villain, fighting each other, not with futuristic weapons, but with their bare hands. A second photo shows Zoe Saldana, returning as Uhura, pointing a phaser while the two battle.
While we don't know exactly who Cumberbatch plays, we do get some clues from the photos. As Yahoo! points out, Cumberbatch is wearing a black Starfleet shirt like Kirk (Chris Pine) wore in the first movie before he was made an officer and his ears are rounded, indicating that he isn't Vulcan - though he appears capable of going toe-to-toe with Spock.
Earlier, Abrams hinted that maybe Cumberbatch is not a villain, but then why would he be exchanging blows with Spock? Guess we'll have to wait until May 2013.
click to view the set photos >> Posted 02.25.12 by Chris -
Director J.J. Abrams hasn't said much about the upcoming sequel to his 2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise, tentatively called Star Trek 2, other than declaring the rumors of Benicio del Toro (Traffic) playing Khan Noonien Singh in the highly-anticipated sequel were "not true."
Del Toro's no longer in the movie, and recently cast British actor Benedict Cumberbatch (BBC's Sherlock, War Horse, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) is believed to be playing the villain. Cumberbatch wouldn't reveal anything about his role in a recent interview, though he did say he was "very, very excited" about it. In an interview with Collider, Abrams discussed the reasons for casting Cumberbatch in the role.
We just were looking for someone with the most awesome name in history. That was the casting call. We asked for someone with the most awesome name in history, ever, and Benedict Cumberbatch showed up, so we were like, 'You’re cast!
abrams on casting, 3-D and more >> Posted 01.09.12 by Ryan -
After decades of being upstaged, it appears that Leonard Nimoy has finally managed to best his longtime friend, castmate, and frequent nemesis, William Shatner. The original James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Shatner was extremely critical of director J.J. Abrams' decision to exclude him from the 2009 franchise reboot, Star Trek, while including Nimoy as (future) Spock. It appears that there was a lot of miscommunication between Shatner's people and Abrams' people — see Shatner's explanation in the video below in which he even offers a way to bring back Kirk, who died in the 1994 movie Star Trek: Generations — but as recently as March of this year Shatner was still stumping for a part in Star Trek 2. Apparently, the franchise has moved past the need for the dwindling star (Trek) power of Shatner because he recently revealed at the Calgary Comic Expo that he "will not be in Star Trek 2."
more about Star Trek 2 >> Posted 12.21.11 by BrentJS -
When Benicio del Toro (Traffic) decided to skip out on the highly-anticipated sequel Star Trek 2, director J.J. Abrams was left without a villain in his cast. Variety reports that Édgar Ramírez (Carlos, Vantage Point) is the frontrunner to replace del Toro with Jordi Mollà (Colombiana, Knight and Day), though no offers have been made. Ramirez reportedly will audition for Abrams via Skype later this week.
What role the two actors are auditioning for is still in question. Del Toro was rumored to be playing Khan Noonien Singh, the genetically-augmented superhuman originally played by Ricardo Montalbán in a 1967 episode of the original Star Trek series episode, and again in the 1982 movie sequel Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Likely because del Toro and Montalbán are both Hispanic, the role of Khan seemed a lock for del Toro, despite Abrams shooting down the rumor as "not true". With two other Hispanic actors up for whatever the villain role will be, the Khan rumors are not going away anytime soon. To add fuel to the fire, we'll point out that in 2009, Star Trek screenwriter Roberto Orci said that Khan's chances of showing up as the villain in the sequel were "50/50."
what role will weller play? >> Posted 12.08.11 by Ryan -
The debate over whether or not Benicio del Toro (Traffic) would play the villain Khan Noonien Singh, in the highly-anticipated sequel Star Trek 2, kept the Internet lively for the past couple weeks. However, the debate is finally over as del Toro has dropped out of the sequel.
According to Vulture, negotiations with del Toro broke down between Paramount and the Academy Award–winning actor when the two sides couldn't agree on money. Director J.J. Abrams recently revealed his interest in working with del Toro on his highly-successful 2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise, but will have to replace him instead.
the cast hasn't even read the script >> Posted 12.06.11 by Ryan -
No plot details have been offered yet about Star Trek 2 (working title), the highly-anticipated sequel to Paramount's 2009 reboot of the beloved franchise, but, if fans had their way, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) would be facing off against his most bitter nemesis: Khan Noonien Singh, the genetically-augmented superhuman played by Ricardo Montalbán in a 1967 episode of the original Star Trek series episode and again in the 1982 movie sequel Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
In 2009, Star Trek screenwriter Roberto Orci said that Khan's chances of showing up as the villain in the sequel were "50/50," which only fueled fan speculation that Benicio del Toro (Traffic) would play the role after the Academy Award–winning actor was reported to be director J.J. Abrams's "choice" to play the villain in the forthcoming sequel. Abrams confirmed his interest in the actor, but wouldn't reveal the role he was up far. "It's too early to talk about what the role is," Abrams said.
if not khan, who? >> Posted 12.04.11 by Ryan -
A stardate has been set for Star Trek 2. Again.
Paramount was looking to capitalize on the success of its 2009 Star Trek reboot shortly after it arrived on DVD, announcing a June 29, 2012 release last January. With no script or a commitment from director J.J. Abrams that he would return, eventually the studio handed over the release date to G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation.
when will Star Trek 2 arrive? >> Posted 11.24.11 by Ryan -
Recent news that Star Trek 2 (working title) was being pushed back until 2013 had to be disconcerting for some fans, but now they have been given reason to cheer. Trek Web reports that "trusted sources" have informed them that production on the highly-anticipated sequel will officially start on January 15th, 2012.
Of course, fans have heard this before, from co-screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who hinted at a possible January production start at this year's Comic-Con. Should the report be true, it would appear the sequel is finally on its way.
more on casting, locations, and the script >> Posted 11.18.11 by Ryan -
Shortly after the success of Star Trek, the 2009 reboot of the widely popular sci-fi franchise, Paramount scheduled a June 29, 2012, release date for Star Trek 2 (working title) despite lacking a script and a commitment to return from director J.J. Abrams.
In July, Paramount finally gave the release date to G.I. Joe: Retaliation, pushing Star Trek 2 into a date to be determined. THR reports the sequel could arrive as soon as 2013, according to a quarterly conference call with Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman, who also mentioned that Abrams was "focused on developing the next installment of our Star Trek franchise."
more on Paranormal 4 and Transformers 4 >> Posted 11.15.11 by Ryan -
"Warp speed, Mr. Sulu. Engage!"
With a built-in cast of returning Starfleet heroes, the writers of the first Star Trek — Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof — banging away at the script, and director J.J. Abrams finally committed to return, the biggest question mark looming over Star Trek 2 (working title) is what menace Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), Bones (Karl Urban) and the rest of the crew will be facing in the sequel. While the villain has yet to be revealed, Variety has reported that Academy Award-winner Benicio del Toro (Traffic) is Abrams' "choice" to play the big bad and that an offer is expected to be forthcoming.
who (or what) is the villain in Star Trek 2? >> Posted 11.06.11 by BrentJS