New ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ pics hint at villain’s possible agenda … and identity

Movie Talk
'Star Trek Into Darkness'
'Star Trek Into Darkness'

First of all, yes, there is still a new "Star Trek" movie coming out this summer. We had almost forgotten about it with all the "Star Wars" stuff going on. (And with secretive director J.J. Abrams in the captain’s chair for both sci-fi epics, we’re scrounging for any scraps of information we can get.)

And yes, we're still not quite sure of the exact identity of the villain Benedict Cumberbatch is supposed to be playing in May's “Star Trek Into Darkness.” Actually, we were about to throw in the towel on trying to figure it out, even admitting to ourselves that maybe there's really nothing secret at all about who the bad guy is and maybe he's just indeed some dude named "John Harrison" ...

... and then the new Entertainment Weekly came out.

The cover of the February 15th issue of the magazine has been revealed, titled "Voyage Into the New 'Star Trek'" and featuring a shot of Cumberbatch and Chris Pine's Captain Kirk (well, one of the covers, anyway -- an alternate features Kirk and Zachary Quinto's Spock). Now, this may not be anything more than just a reference to a rumor that refuses to die, but the companion headline to the issue on EW's Back Issues store says "Voyage Into the New 'Star Trek' Kirk & Khan."

KHAAAAAAAANNN!!

Did EW give away a major secret, or was it a simple mistake (or was someone just sick of typing "Cumberbatch")? Whatever the case, we can't wait for May 17 (or even May 15, if you want to see it on IMAX), when all this maddening speculating can cease and we can concentrate on more "Star Wars" rumors.

What's actually more revealing than the Khan mention is one of the new pics from the film that features Cumberbatch (as Khan, or as John Harrison, or as Gary Mitchell, or as maybe even Sherlock Holmes at this point) surrounded by a bunch of Federation personnel in red uniforms. You know the whole thing about the "red shirts" on "Star Trek," right? Those who wear them usually die. Which means Cumberbatch is probably going to make short work of this whole lot in one way or another.

Actually ... was being taken into Federation custody a bullet point of his own agenda? Villains who get captured on purpose so they can blow stuff up (or something equivalently diabolical thereof) whilst inside the walls of their enemy stronghold are pretty popular in action movies these days. The Joker did it in "The Dark Knight." Bane did it in "The Dark Knight Rises." Silva did it in "Skyfall." There’s also the shot in “The Avengers” with Loki surrounded by rifle-toting armed guards that is remarkably similar to this photo.

Cumberbatch in 'Star Trek Into Darkness,' Tom Hiddleston in 'Marvel's The Avengers'
Cumberbatch in 'Star Trek Into Darkness,' Tom Hiddleston in 'Marvel's The Avengers'

Cumberbatch even gets imprisoned in a glass cell like Silva and Loki did. There's no reason not to think that getting caught isn't all part of Cumberbatch's evil plan, too.

Villains under glass in 'Star Trek,' 'Skyfall' and 'The Avengers'
Villains under glass in 'Star Trek,' 'Skyfall' and 'The Avengers'

Anyway, thought we'd share, if only to remind you that there's still some interest in "Star Trek Into Darkness" out there in the universe.

Watch the Super Bowl ad for 'Star Trek Into Darkness':

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