Idris Elba in Early Talks to Play the Villain in Star Trek 3

Idris Elba, Latest News

Rob Keyes | ScreenRant.com

In just a matter of weeks, the cast and crew of the quasi-rebooted Star Trek movie universe reassemble to boldly go on an entirely new adventure as production begins on Star Trek 3. At least, that’s the plan according to (ex)writer and producer Roberto Orci after the franchise retreaded familiar territory with an all-too-familiar villain in Star Trek Into Darkness.

After Sherlock star and future Marvel superhero Benedict Cumberbatch played the primary antagonist last time around, Paramount Pictures is looking at another BBC television veteran (and another Marvel movie hero)  to play the villain in the untitled Star Trek 3.

Rumor had it that fellow TV superstar Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Malcolm in the Middle) was in the running to play Star Trek 3′s villain but a new scoop from Variety indicates that Idris Elba (The Wire, Luthor) is currently in talks for the mystery role. They also claim production doesn’t begin until a little later in June and that the plot might involve Klingons – whom we saw briefly in Star Trek 2 and only in deleted scenes for the first J.J. Abrams Star Trek.

While Abrams abandoned ship so to speak, to helm Star Wars: Episode VII for Disney instead of Star Trek 3, he remains involved as a producer and promises that co-writer (and star) Simon Pegg has “wonderful ideas” for this movie. Trek 3 will be directed by Justin Lin (Fast & Furious 3-6) and will see the return of the entire main cast and bridge crew from Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness, all of whom signed for a trilogy of features.

As for Bob Orci who was previously attached to write and potentially direct Star Trek 3, he departed from the helm as reports indicate he may only serve as a producer in name only with his story ideas (ideas that he told us saw the crew of the USS Enterprise exploring and doing something new and different) being scrapped in favor of something else from Pegg and co-writer Doug Jung.

Since next year marks the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, expect the series to go out with a bang, especially if it’s the last for the current set of actors who may not return for a Star Trek 4.

Can you picture Idris Elba commanding his own starship opposite Captain Kirk? Can you picture him leading a Klingon army?

Star Trek 3 is directed by Justin Lin and stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg and Alice Eve.

Star Trek 3 opens in theaters July 8, 2016.

Source: Variety

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