Benedict Cumberbatch Joins ‘Star Trek 2’. Is He the Villain?

Benedict Cumberbatch is the latest U.K. star quickly making a name for himself internationally. He is already a respected stage actor, has the hit TV series Sherlock with the BBC, won praise for his supporting roles in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and War Horse and will provide the voices for Smaug the Dragon and The Necromancer in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit movies. Now he has a landed a role in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek sequel.

Deadline did not officiall have word yet whether Cumberbatch would be playing a hero or a villain, but Variety has chimed in saying that it was the role previously offered to Benicio Del Toro, which we know is the central villain. Abrams was apparently blown away with the 35-year-old actor's audition. Deadline seems to concur with that report.

Variety also says that Noel Clarke has been cast in the film. Fans will properly know him best from his role in Doctor Who as Rose Tyler’s long-suffering boyfriend Mickey. He has had a long career in the U.K. with a supporting role in the historical adventure Centurion and credits as a writer/director on Adulthood and 4.3.2.1. It has been confirmed his role would be playing a man with a wife and young daughter. 

Alice Eve and Peter Weller have already joined the production with other major players like Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, et al. all returning. The sequel should hit theaters on May 17, 2013.