I think we've had variations on that title at least three or four times in the past year, but it goes to show just how many questions are still swirling around the villain role in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek sequel. Most of the speculation has centered on it being Khan, and so many have their hearts and minds set on it for some reason. When Benedict Cumberbatch joined the film back in January, the Khan talk only picked up, but nobody's come right out and admitted anything. Until now, maybe, at least if what Karl Urban recently revealed holds any truth.
Karl Urban, who plays Bones McCoy in the upcoming sequel, let some info slip out while talking to SFX that pretty much gives away exactly who Cumberbatch will be playing, and it's a character that may shock even the Trekkies out there...
Urban: “He’s awesome, he’s a great addition, and I think his Gary Mitchell is going to be exemplary.”
This isn't the first time that Gary Mitchell has been mentioned as a possibility to be the bad guy, but it seems like a farfetched idea. Mitchell appeared in the second pilot episode and was an Academy friend of James T. Kirk's. While serving on the Enterprise, Mitchell gets zapped by the Galactic Barrier while trying to cross the Milky Way, and ends up gaining superhuman telepathic and telekinetic abilities. Growing too dangerous to remain on the ship, Kirk maroons him on a distant planet. But that doesn't work and Kirk is forced to kill his old friend.I personally don't believe that Abrams and Co. would make an entire film out of such a character, even though Mitchell has gained some weird cult popularity amongst the Trekkie base. Nor do I think Urban, who was there doing press for Dredd 3D, would be careless enough to let such a heavily guarded secret leak so casually. This screams of misdirection, which Abrams is famous for.
We'll likely find out the truth sooner than later, but it won't be at Comic-Con as Star Trek 2 and Paramount won't be there. The film is set to land in theaters on May 17th 2013.
