J.J. Abrams: “This Movie Was Not Made for Star Trek Fans”

Following months of speculation, we now know who Benedict Cumberbatch will play in STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS. Recently, JJ Abrams sat down with MTV to discuss the film, the rumors which surround it, and just who “John Harrison” is.

Speaking to MTV, Abrams said:

This movie was not made for Star Trek fans — it was made for movie fans, but if you’re a Star Trek fan, I think you’ll be really happy. There’s a lot of stuff in here for you. But we couldn’t just make the movie just for fans of Star Trek.

Abrams went on to discuss Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the film’s villain John Harrison.

The character that Benedict plays — he brings such an incredible power to it. His voice alone is unbelievable. I actually as a joke should have just had him just read the lunch menu in one scene.

Hopefully this character will be really compelling — not because of any connection to the past, but because of who he is and what he brings to it.

Talking more about the Harrison character and his motivations, Abrams said:

The whole thing, not just his backstory, but his agenda, his plan, his secret, all that is what, for me at least, makes him such a frightening and cool villain. Also, the real villains — when they’re not just two-dimensional, angry vengeful types don’t see themselves as the bad guy. They are the good guy and have complete rationale and motivation. So true to form, the character that Benedict plays has an absolute sense of right and wrong, and he’s certainly on the right side.

Check out the video for yourself below.

STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Weller, Bruce Greenwood and Alice Eve, hits theaters on May 17, 2013.