With Benecio Del Toro out of the Star Trek picture it seems that Abrams and company are working hard to fill the role with other actors and a couple of new frontrunner have been mentioned with Edgar Ramirez headlining the two.
Source:
While no offer has been made, sources tell Variety that “Carlos” star Edgar Ramirez is the frontrunner, with “Colombiana” thesp Jordi Molla also in the mix.
Ramirez was expected to test for the role via Skype this week, as Abrams hopes to make a quick decision with production looming.
What role would Ramirez play? It was reported last week — before Del Toro was out — that he’d be playing Khan, which Abrams and Paramount denied. Whether that denial was over the role or just Del Toro’s involvement (a convenient feint) isn’t clear. But Abrams seems committed to a Latin actor, mirroring the Mexico-born Ricardo Montalban, who played Khan in the original series and “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”
I’m not sure about either of these choices. I don’t dislike them but I just can’t replace a veteran like Del Toro with a newer face as easily as Abrams can. It’ll take me a little bit to revisit this idea and form a clear opinion but the fact that I don’t immediately dislike these choices is a good thing.
