Bryan Cranston Rumored For Star Trek 3 Role; Major Female Characters In The Pipeline

In the last couple of months, there’s been a flurry of activity surrounding Paramount’s next journey into deep space for sci-fi threequel, Star Trek 3. Roberto Orci exited the flick back in December, leaving his spot vacant for the briefest moment until Fast & Furious helmer Justin Lin stepped in as director. That’s not been the only shake-up; Scotty himself, Simon Pegg, has since taken on the job of screenwriter and will be re-working some of Orci’s previous drafts. All in all, it’s a series of major changes for a franchise that now looks set to be making even more.

The folks over at Film Divider are bringing us word that Breaking Bad‘s meth-makin’ hat-wearin’ badass, Bryan Cranston, has been singled out for a role. Now, granted, the intel here has yet to be confirmed by the studio or Cranston’s people, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get excited.

Here’s Film Divider’s full scoop:

The major new role for a male actor will be the villain. As we understand it, he’s supposed to be Bryan Cranston-like, to the point that Cranston himself has had words with the studio about taking the role. We don’t know just yet if he said yes, or if this is an all-new character or somebody from continuity, but because they’re shooting for Cranston we at least know the filmmakers want to bring the intensity.

It would certainly make sense for a “Bryan Cranston-like” character to be tested with… Bryan Cranston. Joking aside, the fact that he’s even been linked with it is keeping in line with his current appeal. After all, as /Film mention, he was rumored for the Lex Luthor role in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. Perhaps his upcoming turn as a disgraced screenwriter in Trumbo – wherein he possesses a full head of hair – will affect this trend.

Turning to the remainder of the rumor report, and it seems that the third instalment could be including more females in its cast. Specifically, three. One of these will be the captain of another Federation ship who will go up against Spock. The second is expected to be the President of the United Federation of Planets, and the third will Bones’ ex-wife, although the outlet doesn’t specify whether it will be a new spouse or one plucked from the Star Trek canon.

With all of this new speculation churning up chatter on the movie, it’s not exactly unexpected. Director Lin ought to be firming up his cast around this time if he’s hoping to meet the film’s intended release date. Bearing that in mind, expect even more rumors and chatter on the movie in the coming weeks.

Star Trek 3 will arrive in theaters on July 8th, 2016.