The name of Benedict Cumberbatch’s STAR TREK 2 antagonist has been revealed… As Gary Mitchell.
Karl Urban, who plays Dr ‘Bones’ McCoy, has (inadvertently?) revealed the name of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Trekian villain, during an interview promoting DREDD. He was extolling the SHERLOCK actor’s performance in the sci-fi sequel and said “He’s awesome. He’s a great addition, and I think his Gary Mitchell is going to be exemplary.”
Yup, Gary Mitchell. This is surprising, not only because we all thought he was going to be Khan (sorry, I meant KHAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!?) but Gary Mitchell? Is he going to threaten the universe while pulling pints at The Queen Vic?
Though he may sound like the intergalactic brother of Grant and Phil, Mitchell is actually one of the earliest villains in the STAR TREK universe. Gary Lockwood, (2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY) portrayed Mitchell originally in the first episode of the original STAR TREK, ‘Where No Man Has Gone Before’ (We’re not counting the pilot called ‘The Cage,’ because it’s balls). In the episode, Mitchell plays an old friend of Kirk’s who gains telekinetic and telepathic powers, as well as super strength. Normally this would make him a superhero but alas, he goes mad with power, and Kirk has to sort him out.
Trekkies will probably be very familiar with the character and will know what to expect plot-wise. The rest of us have been assured by Urban and by JJ Abrams himself that Cumberbatch will truly deliver in a role that could propel him to megastardom.
You don’t have to be a big fan of the show and its accompanying multi-verse to be looking forward to this new film. JJ Abrams’ first foray into the franchise did a terrific job of making the series more accessible to a wider audience and we’re sure the crew of the Starship Enterprise will entertain us even more this time around. And who knows, maybe a new catchphrase will be born.
‘MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITCHELL!!!!’
STAR TREK 2 is directed by J.J. Abrams. It also Chris Pine, Zachery Quinto, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Noel Clarke, Alice Eve and of course Mr Benedict Cumberbatch. It will be reaching warp speed on the 17th of May 2013.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, SFX
