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Fans of the BBC series SHERLOCK will be pleased to know the show’s star Benedict Cumberbatch has just been cast in director J.J. Abrams’ STAR TREK sequel, and as the villain! Cumberbatch recently appeared in both Steven Spielberg’s WAR HORSE and the British spy thriller TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY co-starring alongside Gary Oldman. Deadline and TrekMovie both claim to have the “Exclusive” on this casting tidbit, and Cumberbatch is said to have nabbed the role both Benecio del Toro and Edgar Ramirez were being considered for… hmmm, Khan? No word on exactly who he’s playing in the film, only that he’s the baddie. He joins British writer, director and actor Noel Clarke who was also just cast in an undefined role. Clarke is perhaps best known as playing “Mickey Smith” in DOCTOR WHO. Variety notes “he will play a family man with a wife and young daughter.” Yes, we know, that’s vague. Other notable casting additions for the sequel include Alice Eve (SHE’S OUT OF MY LEAGUE) and ROBOCOP star Peter Weller. Deadline also notes the film is also being shot in 3D, not post-converted – I hope that’s true. All of the first movie’s principle cast members are expected to return. The highly-anticipated follow-up is being scripted by Abrams with Damon Lindelof and written super team Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. Personally, I’m hoping they don’t go the ‘Khan’ route, as there’s so many other options available, but with the alternate timeline they’re working with I guess anything is possible. Are you excited to see more Trek on the big screen? Tell us in the comments.
Paramount Pictures will release the STAR TREK sequel May 17, 2013
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
