Kurtzman and Orci were talking again about what they might do with the Star Trek sequel.
Will it have Khan? Orci has said bluntly “We would never do a remake…” so that appears to rule out Khan as a badguy, but they are not ignorant to the impact of a strong villain in the film.
“I think our idea on this is that the first of any series is about them coming together or the formation. I couldn’t really tell you what Jeff Bridges was doing in Iron Man, but it doesn’t matter at all because it is all about Iron Man becoming Iron Man. Whereas I think sequels are very much about the villain. Because while [in the first one] the villain serves to bring the crew together, the second one I think has to be a true challenging of what that family is about. That is why Wrath of Khan was so amazing. Khan tested each one of them and ultimately asked for the [ultimate] sacrifice, and that is why that movie held up so well.”
I like how they are insistant that it will not be a remake of the sequel in the original film series. I really want them to go all fresh and new and NOT just recycle the old storylines with the new cast.
Hop ahead to where Kirk has become a phenom and the youngest Captain in Federation history. Have others challenge his sudden rise in ranks, have doubt and plenty of character interaction, but have his crew solidly behind him. Then bring in a villain worthy of the format.
Should it be Khan. No. We know in the timeline that he is out there, as are his genetically created superpeople. But will Kirk even cross paths with him now that will trigger the events of Wrath of Khan? Who says there is any wrath now?
I like how they illustrate how Nero was an unimportant villain. I felt that way, but they made it obvious as to why he wasn’t played up as a major presence. Its not what their film was about.
I look forward to seeing what they do with a villain in Star Trek 2. They seem to have their head in the right place here. Origin is over, now lets have a serious conflict!
I vote for a badass Klingon Warlord!
