web counter
 

Benicio Del Toro Might Be A Villain, Specifically The New Star Trek Nemesis

By Rob Payne | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (26)

pajibabeniciodeltorostartrekvillain.jpg

Since J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reborquel premiered and excited people for Gene Rodenberry’s universe again (or, considering the movie’s massive success, most likely for the first time), there’s long been speculation about what story the inevitable sequel might tell. Even more specifically, burning rumors of who the next movie’s villain might (ought) to be. Leading that charge has always been a reinterpretation of Ricardo Montalban’s legendary Khan Noonien Singh, from both Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and the TOS episode “Space Seed.” Everyone involved has confirmed at some point or another that they would go back to The Original Series for inspiration, which only ignited the Khan rumors further. Though, there was also talk of long-term series villains the Klingons entering the mix after hitting the cutting floor in the last go-round.

Well, with news that Abrams has approached Benicio Del Toro, and put the actor on the top of his list, to portray Star Trek 2’s lead villain, the fans are being further inflamed. (Or however that metaphor goes.) Every outlet seems to be implying the Khan rumor all over again, but that is likely because the first Star Trek II was the most popular and memorable of the bunch (besides “the one with the whales”), but also because Del Toro would certainly be qualified to fill Montalban’s rich Corinthian leather. Plus, keeping it a big mystery only serves to deepen the expectation for the official announcement, so at this point any other character would just be a figurative smack upside the head. Then again, if Del Toro’s not a Klingon then that forehead might very well be wasted.

If he is Khan, though, I do worry/wonder if they’ll massage the new timeline a bit more to allow for a new version of Kirstie Alley’s Saavik. Knead out 20 years or so of continuity to make the lady Vulcan a love interest for Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk, which would probably also be a point of tension with Zachary Quinto’s Spock. Olivia Wilde would be an obvious choice, as the role would put her relative stiffness and occasional vacuity to good use. So, let’s go ahead and get that rumor started, shall we?

Who do you think Del Toro might be playing? Who should he be playing?

(Sources: Variety/Screen Rant)

Rob Payne also writes the indie comic The Unstoppable Force and tweets on the Twitter @RobOfWar. He really doesn’t care who the villain of the next Trek is, as long as there’s some damn galactic discoveries and at least one philosophical question to be answered.









Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance

← Where In The World Are Waldo And Carmen Sandiego? Coming Soon To A Theater Near You! | Today in Wingnuttery: "Hypocritical Bigots" Are "Bullying" Brett Ratner for Anti-Gay Slur →









Comments

Bslim is going to fucking eviscerate this bitch.

Posted by: admin at November 8, 2011 11:19 AM

admin: I think this article is a ploy to draw Bslim out of hiding. Not even he can resist the opportunity to bash Abrams. DON'T DO IT BARBADO!! It's a TRAP!!! What was that? I don't remember leaving this window open. Oh no, it's YOU! No, please, I didn't mean to...ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!

{WHAM...BLAM BLAM BLAM...stabby stabby stab...SNICK]

Fly..you fool. Fly... [thump]

Posted by: TylerDFC at November 8, 2011 11:39 AM

He'll actually be playing Klingon Commander Kruge, filling the shoes of Christopher Lloyd in 1984's timeless classic Star Trek III.

Calling it.

Posted by: ShagEaredVillain at November 8, 2011 11:46 AM

zeke doesn't really care about Star Trek, but there's been a notable dearth of Del Toro recently, so, yeah, whatever, good.

Posted by: zeke the pig at November 8, 2011 11:48 AM

that is likely because the first Star Trek II was the most popular and memorable of the bunch (besides “the one with the whales”), but also because Del Toro would certainly be qualified to fill Montalban’s rich Corinthian leather.

Oh, is that the one about the Romulan with the dysentery?

Posted by: Jast at November 8, 2011 11:49 AM

Well first of all, a pox on you for using Star Trek and nemesis in the same sentence.

Secondofly, I really hope they don't do Khan again. The franchise has already been there and it would cheapen what's been by far the best Star Trek thing, not just movie, that's been done to date. I especially don't want Chris Pine trying to copy Shatner's iconic reading of "KHAN!" and I'm pretty sure that'd be almost unavoidable if they went that way.

Now a Klingon big bad? Yes please! Let's introduce a new generation of potential Trek fans to the de-wussified, pre-TNG Klingons.

Posted by: Socrates_Johnson at November 8, 2011 11:56 AM

@Jast

No, you're thinking of the one where they were fighting Klingons around Uranus.

Posted by: anderbot at November 8, 2011 12:00 PM

I should be clear. I mean the movie Klingons, not the ones from TOS.

Posted by: Socrates_Johnson at November 8, 2011 12:05 PM

Del Toro qualified for Khan? Are you kidding? The man can't clearly pronounce a word in any language. I can see him playing a Klingon, though. He's got the face for that.

Posted by: FabMax at November 8, 2011 12:07 PM

Now a Klingon big bad? Yes please! Let's introduce a new generation of potential Trek fans to the de-wussified, pre-TNG Klingons.

Now, if we could get Del Toro AND Bardem as real Klingons, well, I might just have a DevwI' naQ vo' HoS in my pants.

Posted by: admin at November 8, 2011 12:15 PM

The man can't clearly pronounce a word in any language.

"Hand me the keys, you Qovpatlh."
"In Klingon, please?"
"Excuse me?"
"In Klingon."
"Hand me the fucking keys, you Qovpatlh, what the QI'yaH?"

Posted by: Jast at November 8, 2011 12:18 PM

I hope Del Toro plays a Klingon who can't talk. And that the script doesn't suck.
Dreamers can dream.

Posted by: ChickaBoom! at November 8, 2011 12:33 PM

Luckily they have the universal translator so they can understand Del Toro.


what? too geeky?

Posted by: logan at November 8, 2011 12:44 PM

I don't think even JJ's dumb enough to retread Khan. Del Toro would make a great Klingon adversary, so maybe a major overhaul of the V'Ger storyline with Klingons using it to launch an invasion?

Posted by: lordhelmet at November 8, 2011 1:00 PM

Based on the header pic, I am going with a Tribble.

Posted by: W. E. Coyote at November 8, 2011 2:54 PM

Pity, I had him pegged for a slightly fuzzier Harry Mudd.*

*and with that obscure Trekie reference, I can no longer claim to be just a casual Star Trek fan.With this revelation, I'm going to go drown my newly outed nerdness in a drink. Perhaps a glass of blue milk**

**Dammit! Star War too? This is worse than being the last Thal on Skaro***

***Frak!****

****Stop it! Okay! Okay! I'm a sci-fi dork! Are you satisfied you bastards?!? (sobbing)

Posted by: bleujayone at November 8, 2011 3:41 PM

Perhaps a Tellarite? He looks like one in the header pic.

Posted by: The Wanderer at November 8, 2011 4:01 PM

Reading this post and the comments, I've also reached the conclusion that we do not need another Khan (or at least not for another 15 or 20 years). The potential of the Star Trek universe is so vast that a new, good story would be even better, particularly when so much of the audience already knows Khan so well. I won't be up in arms about it if they do retell Khan (and I might even enjoy it), but something fresh has more upside.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at November 8, 2011 4:05 PM

bleujayone >> Harry Mudd isn't that obscure. The guy did appear in two episodes, after all. Now if you had referenced "Red Jack" or "The Corbomite Maneuver," then you might have cause for concern.

Actually, that could be funny if they threw Simon Pegg into the Red Jack plot.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at November 8, 2011 4:09 PM

The Corbomite Maneuver? Are you serious? I don't believe it's possible to reinterpret the work of Clint Howard.

You want obscure? I give you "The Paradise Syndrome" and Kirok.

Posted by: KateNonymous at November 8, 2011 4:39 PM

"I...am....KIROK!"

Posted by: Green Lantern at November 8, 2011 5:25 PM

Galt, Master Thrall of Triskelion.

Posted by: dorquemada at November 8, 2011 5:35 PM

O.k., I agree those two are more objectively obscure than the ones I mentioned.

Just as long as Abrams' big idea isn't to remake "The Empath." Of course, they could save a whole bunch on the effects budget if they did.

And no need to reinterpret - they could bring Clint Howard back for the "Corbomite Maneuver" retelling!

Posted by: DarthCorleone at November 8, 2011 6:21 PM

How about the Romulan Commander from "Balance of Terror"? That's a classic duel of ships captains!

Posted by: logan at November 8, 2011 6:35 PM

**opens door, takes a peek...shuts door, puts chair under doorknob, and runs screaming**

Posted by: Greedy at November 8, 2011 6:41 PM

My love for Del Toro has diminished greatly in the last few years. I can't see him doing a good Khan, but then again, I couldn't see Pine as Kirk and I think he was great. Willing to wait and see.

If Nimoy is in this bitch I'm going to punch a baby.

Posted by: Protoguy at November 9, 2011 1:09 AM