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J.J. Abrams Begins Shooting 'Star Trek 2' But What Can We Expect?

by Ethan Anderton
January 17, 2012

It was over two years ago that J.J. Abrams boldy went where no filmmaker had gone before as he rebooted the Star Trek film franchise complete with original characters and even a storyline that allowed the original canon from the classic series and films to exist within the same universe. Now the filmmaker is heading back to the final frontier as principal photography on the currently untitled Star Trek sequel is now underway in Los Angeles. However, there are still many unanswered questions involving the film's central villain, who may or may not be played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and much more. More below!

One thing's for sure, while there might be some pressure, there's even more enthusiasm. Writer Damon Lindelof told Hero Complex:

"I have had the good fortune to once again step upon the Enterprise bridge, surrounded by the primary colors worn by, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest casts ever assembled. Every single person involved with this movie has the same ambition — to do everything they can to justify the long wait … to live up to the lofty expectations of 40-year ‘Trek’ fans and those who are coming to the party for the first time. The energy is crackling. The warp core is primed. And we are, at long last, ready to boldly go once again. I hope to God we don’t screw it up."

And there's likely a lot that can go wrong, especially considering sequels usually have so much hype behind them. What makes things even more difficult this time around is that the second film from the original franchise, Wrath of Khan, is such a renowned sequel that there's going to be a lot to live up to. The question is whether Benedict Cumberbatch is up to the task. Of course, we're not even certain that the "Sherlock" and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy star is playing the villain. Both the actor and director J.J. Abrams have not confirmed the casting, specifically the character, and are being very coy about everything.

Is there a chance that Cumberbatch could bring Khan to life again, or will we see a villain that hasn't been brought to the big screen before? Either way, the heat is on for Bad Robot to come through with a big sequel. However, when it comes to the villain, I don't just want pomp and circumstance. This time around, I want a less generic villain who has more personal ties to someone on the crew of the Enterprise. Obviously, that would make Khan a prime candidate, but even his relationship to Captain Kirk in Wrath of Khan felt weak, and was really only a treat for fans of the original series, so I want more. No matter how this villain turns out, I know Cumberbatch is the right man for the job and has a bright career ahead of him.

Filed under Development, Feat, Movie News

From around the web:

Dpramroop

we can expect a movie Ethan, thats what we want, whatever else happens in the movie we will just have to accept
Matt

I loved the first J.J. Abrams Star Trek flick, yes EVEN Nero was cool, all round great film!!! Cant wait to see what they do with the sequel.
http://twitter.com/alicebenn alicebennett

Cumberbatch is one of the best actors of his generation. He'll be amazing I;m sure.
Xerxexx

Cumberbatch has got to be the villain! I'm extremely excited.
- Anonymous
  
  Agreed! Happy for both Cumberbatch and Freeman of very well-done "Sherlock" to be making more and more waves. This won't be a ripple, J.J. Abrams has yet to disappoint.
Jedi

Let's not forget that the reason that Khan worked so well as the villian in the second film was because Shatner's Kirk encountered him years prior and left him stranded on a desolate planet. This is what motivated the whole Wrath Of Khan story line. I fail to see how Chris Pine's younger Kirk could possibly have history with Khan to set up similar circumstances. Unless the stranding of Khan is part of this sequel and the character is revisited again in a later film. If they try squeezing in the initial stranding and then Khan's revenge into the same film I think that it would feel like a rushed story line and would probably end up pretty lame.
- Xerxexx
  
  I agree...they should go in a new direction, with a better villain.
- peloquin
  
  I also agree that Khan would be a terrible villain and they need to go in a fresh direction.
Anonymous

Can't see Cumberbatch as a villain
http://twitter.com/jprug Jason Prugar

We know the villain won't be Gary Mitchell, as he was done in the Star Trek Ongoing comic.
Obould

Still want to see the Gorn as a main villian. Ridiculous? Yes. But man that would be awesome haha
Boiler Bro Joe

Ugh, Star Trek reboot. There were a lot of flashing lights the first time around. Spock made Kirk angry. Am I forgetting anything?
Boiler Bro Joe

"Strike that. Reverse it"
Unrequited98

The 1st one was an awesome flick standing alone, however the villian were weak. Not weak as actor or in presence, but the story of them was weak. I mean tattoed faced Romulan miners from the future really? I hope they do a better job with the villans story this time, but it will be quite hard as they have destoryed all the Cannon except Enterprise. Maybe some thing for that show then, is 3rd season was great and the show itself was inderated. Did I mention though that Abrams, cast and crew did a great job on the flick. Destroying Vuclan I could have done without.
Fatmcrat

Well u gotta realize that when Nero went back and destroyed vulcan that it has changed the story line...things happened in the original films will not be the same now....it can be changed and not be out of place
Bmckee

But no more Mount Seleya for Jim to climb the steps. Spock is doomed to an early grave.
- Meedwards29
  
  Yes, but a twist on the timeline itself would be great... We could have a new mount seleya.. They did say at the end that there is a new world that they could rebuild the vulcan empire... Also could set the plot for the enterprise ncc 1701-C.... The only starship with a cloaking device.. I can see all kinds of different ways that they can go with the story...