Weller joins the sequel while Benicio Del Toro passes.
Deadline has confirmed that underrated actor Peter Weller (‘Robocop,’ ‘The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension’) is set to join the ensemble cast of J.J, Abrams’ upcoming ‘Star Trek’ sequel.
Like everything related to the film, details on his role are being kept under wraps, but according to the actor’s reps, it’s a principal role. Weller joins the returning original cast, headed by Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, and the recently announced Alice Eve, who is set to play a new character to the ‘Star Trek’ universe. Weller is no stranger to the franchise, having guest starred in two episodes of ‘Star Trek: Enterprise’ back in 2005.
Someone who won’t be joining the upcoming sequel is Benicio Del Toro. Last month it was reported that ‘The Wolfman’ star was in talks to take the role of the film’s villain. Rumours began to spread that the actor was set to play Khan Noonien Singh, memorably played by Ricardo Montalban in ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,’ but Abrams shot down those rumours.
Now Vulture is reporting that Del Toro won’t joining the sequel, due to the talks falling apart over “monetary issues,” but the site does add that it’s “highly placed source” still claims that Khan will indeed be the sequel’s baddie.