Benicio Del Toro has reportedly turned down the opportunity to star in J.J. Abrams Star Trek 2, after failing to agree terms with Paramount. But although it might be back to the drawing board in terms of casting the villain, we do now know who that villain is going to be.
Vulture reports from an inside source that the part Del Toro turned down was that of Khan Noonien Singh, the villain initially played by Ricardo Montalban in Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan.
A genetically engineered human tyrant, Khan cropped up in the TV episode Space Seed before being brought back for the first big-screen sequel, where he sought vengeance on Kirk for exiling him on the barren planet Ceti Alpha V.
Regardless of whether you are a fan of the character or not, he did seem a good fit for Del Toro, who would have brought a daunting physical presence to the role, as well as some genuine A-list star power.
Abrams has at least swelled his cast with other additions over the past week, with Alice Eve and Peter Weller recently signing on the dotted line. As for who plays Khan, let the speculation commence! Star Trek 2 is released in the US on 17 May 2013.
Source: Vulture
Is Khan the right choice for Star Trek 2's big bad? And if so, who should play him? Tell us, below.
Comments
ChrisWootton
Dec 7th 2011, 9:16
Now, I'm not a Star Trek fan (only really like the 2nd movie and none of the TV series) but I'm fairly certain that he only appeared once in the TV series... and it's Ricardo Montalban (nitpicking probably but other people will be far harder on you for that one).
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MattMaytum
Dec 7th 2011, 9:36
^ Cheers for pointing that out, the typo's been amended now.
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ChrisWootton
Dec 7th 2011, 10:08
I now feel like a major dork
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Porus
Dec 7th 2011, 10:52
I remember watching that TV episode. The character of Khan Noonien Singh is supposed to be a Sikh. Then surely in todays age the actor playing the part should be of Subcontinental origin rather than Latin again.
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writerdave87
Dec 7th 2011, 13:45
Edward James Olmos...?
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FBMBurgess
Dec 7th 2011, 14:04
He's also supposed to be a genetically engineered super human. Do we need to find one of those, too? This could be awesome - maybe we'll get to see some of The Genetics Wars in flashback? (Scott Bakula for a cameo!!)
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ChrisWootton
Dec 7th 2011, 14:04
How about... I dunno... an entirely new story?
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joker16
Dec 7th 2011, 15:56
Good for Benicio!
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Hadouken76
Dec 7th 2011, 16:05
LIke I said before...someone accidently invents The Borg and fuxxx sh*t up for everyone else...
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Heisenberg
Dec 7th 2011, 16:52
Jacob James Olmos
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Ali1748
Dec 8th 2011, 2:14
Why can't we just have Kirk p**sing off some Klingons ?
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FBGLove
Dec 8th 2011, 3:09
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loveroflostgirl
Dec 9th 2011, 10:51
As i have already said the part is made for Javier Bardem, not only is he a great actor but he'll bring physical threat to the role (rather important when playing a genetic superhuman). Also got to say i love the idea of a Genetic wars flashback and cameo for Scott Bakula :)
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