Idris Elba, who apparently can be in multiple places at once, is in the very early stages of talks with Paramount to play the villain in Star Trek 3.
The potential casting was first reported by Variety, which noted that Elba might be playing a Klingon. A source also told TheWrap that he is in talks for the part.
Klingons haven’t have a big role in the first two films of J.J. Abrams’ rebooted version of the franchise. They were completely cut from 2009’s Star Trek and had a small role in Star Trek Into Darkness. But historically, they are the main villains for the Federation.
Since Abrams is busy with Star Wars, he’s not directing the new film. Roberto Orci was originally hired to do it, but he left and Paramount hired Fast and Furious director Justin Lin to take the reigns. Abrams and Bad Robot will remain as producers on the project, though, along with Skydance.
Elba just finished Beasts of No Nation, which Netflix will distribute. He’s currently working on a new Luther two-parter and was just hired to star in Harmony Korine’s The Trap. He’s also in Avengers: Age of Ultron, A Hundred Streets and Bastille Day.
Star Trek 3 - technically the 13th Trek movie - hits theaters on July 8. Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana are among the returning cast.
image courtesy of INFphoto.com