J.J. Abrams Praises Benedict Cumberbatch And Teases A Possible Star Trek 3
We’re only four months out from the release of Star Trek Into Darkness. And the villainous John Harrison, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, is still the big question mark everyone is talking about. Whether he is playing Khan, or Gary Mitchell, or just John Harrison, Abrams wants to assure his fans that Cumberbatch’s performance is the real reason to watch the sequel film.
In an interview with CraveOnline.com, Abrams praises Cumberbatch’s ability — along with Trek newcomers Alice Eve and Peter Weller — to hold his own with the existing cast. Abrams says:
I just can’t wait for people to see the movie. Benedict is unbelievable. It’s a tall order, coming into that movie, because the crew of the Enterprise, that cast is so damn good and they’re wonderful to work with and they’re all good hearts. So, to come into that group, as he did, as Alice Eve did and as Peter Weller did, and be one of the family was something that I was doubtful could happen. And he completely did it. I not only love him in the movie, but I love him, as a human being. He’s an amazing guy. I can’t wait for people to see the movie and experience what he’s done.
Last month, actor Chris Pine also praised Cumberbatch’s performance as John Harrison, calling the character a “much more emotionally and intellectually challenging villain” than the previous film’s Nero (Eric Bana). There were even some comparisons to Heath Ledger’s Joker performance in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.
And while Into Darkness is still months away, J.J. Abrams teases the possibility of a third Star Trek series. It would all depend if the new film does well in theaters and if the story needs to be continued. “I’m sure that the studio would love that to be a possibility,” says Abrams, “but it’s up to the audience to decide if there needs to be one…There are things we’ve talked about but there’s no script or anything, it’s just ideas.”
Star Trek Into Darkness will hit theaters everywhere on May 17th in 3D IMAX.
