J.J. Abrams Confirms Benicio Del Toro's 'Star Trek 2' Interest

[NelsonG]

The villain of "[url="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/423423/moviemain.jhtml"]Star Trek 2[/url]" remains unknown, though director [url="http://www.mtv.com/movies/person/206514/personmain.jhtml"]J.J. Abrams[/url] certainly has his eye on someone for the role: [url="http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/11/07/benicio-del-toro-jj-abrams-star-trek-2-villain/"]Oscar-winning actor Benicio del Toro[/url]. It's still up in the air as to who BDT might play in the "Trek" sequel, assuming he comes on board at all, but Abrams confirmed to MTV News that he's very much interested in bringing the "Traffic" actor on board for his next interstellar voyage.

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"Well, we're just in negotiations, we're in discussions," Abrams told us on the red carpet for the "Super 8" Blu-ray and DVD release in Los Angeles. "It's not even negotiations — just in discussion. But I would love to work with him. I've wanted to work with him for years, and this felt like a good opportunity."

Abrams wouldn't get into specifics regarding the role he has in mind for del Toro. Speculation has ranged from del Toro tackling the iconic role of Khan Noonien Singh to him putting that prominent forehead to good use as [url="http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/11/17/star-trek-2-to-feature-klingons-no-khan/"]a Klingon villain[/url]. But the "Star Trek" director would only offer that whoever the character is, del Toro is perfect for the part.

"It's too early to talk about what the role is, but he's such an amazing actor," said Abrams. "He's so versatile. He could sort of do anything."

"Except play Uhura," he joked. "I wouldn't buy that."

Though things are enigmatic at the moment, Abrams promised that the role would be much less mysterious as soon as casting is finalized, whether or not del Toro winds up in the sequel.

"As soon as we know who it's going to be—and I'd love it to be him—that'll be public knowledge," he said.

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