Hot on the trail of yesterday’s news where we reported that Benicio Del Toro had passed on the role of the villain in the upcoming Star Trek sequel, comes more news that a new frontrunner has emerged for the part.
/Film is reporting that Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramirez is now being considered for the role, with Jordi Malla (Colombiana) also being a possibility. Ramirez may not be a household name, but there’s a good chance you’ve seen him in such films as Che, The Bourne Ultimatum, Domino, or the critically-acclaimed miniseries Carlos. Ramirez is expected to do a screen test via Skype in the next couple of days with a decision to be made over the weekend.
Yesterday I wrote of how the desire to cast Del Toro seemed to lend credence to the rumor that Khan (originally played by Mexican-born actor Ricardo Montalban) will indeed be the next villain. Now we find the new frontrunner to be another Latin actor, which only seems to make the rumor more credible. Let’s just hope we get some official word soon so we can put all of the speculation to rest.
The film doesn’t begin shooting until next month, and should Ramirez be cast, it would keep him busy until June. In the meantime, he can be seen this March in the upcoming Wrath of the Titans.
The Star Trek sequel is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof, and Roberto Orci. It hits theaters in a little under a year and a half on May 17, 2013.
