'Star Trek' Sequel Nabs 'War Horse' Actor Benedict Cumberbatch

The star of the BBC’s “Sherlock” will likely play the main villain in J.J. Abrams' film for Paramount.

7:08 PM PST 1/4/2012 by Borys Kit

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Benedict Cumberbatch, who can currently be seen in theaters in Steven Spielberg’s War Horse, has nabbed a major role in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming Star Trek sequel for Paramount.

Although sources would not comment on the character and Abrams keeping story details close to the vest, it is believed that Cumberbatch will play the movie’s villain.

PHOTOS: The Making of 'War Horse'

The cast of the 2009 Trek movie (including Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana and Zachary Quinto) is returning for the sequel, which will be shot in 3D and released by Paramount. The script is written by Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.

Cumberbatch is clearly having a moment. The actor, who stars as Sherlock Holmes in BBC’s Sherlock, is also on screens with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and is voicing the characters of Smaug the dragon and the Nercomancer in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit.

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