Ricardo Montalban

Star Trek Sequel To Feature Khan?

When it comes to iconic villains in Star Trek movies, there's none more memorable than the late Ricardo Montalban's Khan. In a recent interview with MTV, Star Trek director J.J. Abrams didn't say for sure whether Khan would appear in Star Trek 2, but he also didn't rule out the possibility.

Dealing with Khan would certainly be a challenge, but we had an equal challenge in finding our crew of the Enterprise. While I don't want to approach the second film as a remake of episodes we've seen in the past, and, you know, I don't think any of the other writers and producers are interested in just rehashing, or throwing characters in for the sake of it, and Khan is certainly the most obvious one in the history of the series for me.... Nothing is off limits in terms of what we're discussing.

Star Trek screenwriter Roberto Orci has said that Khan's chances to appear in the sequel are about "50/50." Javier Bardem could be he front runner for the role should it be written into the sequel.

• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
• Star Trek Into Darkness
• Star Trek
• J.J. Abrams
• Ricardo Montalban
• Roberto Orci

Ricardo Montalban Dead at 88

Grrrrrrhisssss!

He tasks me. He tasks me and I shall have him! I'll chase him 'round the moons of Nibia and 'round the Antares Maelstrom and 'round Perdition's flames before I give him up!

Those are the immortal words of the greatest Star Trek villain ever -- the late great, Ricardo Montalban who has died at age 88.

As Khan Noonien Singh in the original 1967 Star Trek episode Space Seed, Montalban later reprised the role in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

His powerful performance as the genetically superior, but ruthlessly ambitious, Eugenics War despot provoked Kirk to voice the ultimate shout-out Kha-a-a-a-n!

Following the admittedly stodgy Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Wrath of Khan was the movie that really kick-started the Trek movie franchise due in large part to Montalban's rich performance.

I interviewed Montalban with William Shatner at a Pasadena Star Trek Con back in the mid-1990s and was surprised to learn that neither Shatner nor Montalban had any scenes together in Wrath of Khan. That's logical when you think about it since Kirk and Khan only spoke to each other via the Enterprise viewing screen.

Montalban was ever the courteous gentleman, the fans loved him, and he will be missed.

We end with one of Khan's delicious taunts to Kirk from Star Trek II:

Ah, Kirk, my old friend, do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? [pause] It is very cold in space.

• Star Trek
• William Shatner
• Ricardo Montalban