There has been plenty of speculation over whether Khan (Khan!!!!) will appear as Star Trek 2‘s villain. This trailer — which is packed with tons of footage for a teaser — almost feels like a confirmation that Khan is indeed the antagonist of Star Trek Into Darkness. While no character outright says his name, there is a specific shot and line which implies they Abrams and his team were heavily inspired by Wrath of Khan.
Or, knowing Abrams, that’s just a game of misdirection Paramount is playing…
Take a look at the domestic trailer for yourself and decide, courtesy of Apple:
If Khan is indeed the villain of Into Darkness and that shot of Spock’s hand on the glass (which you can see in the Japanese version) means what we all know it means, then…that’s a pretty boring choice.
Why not go for something fresh and new, rather than rehashing one of the series’ greatest villains and moments? It feels so safe. Then again, those worries of mine all got lost while watching this footage. The scale and stakes of Trek 2 look far bigger than what we saw in the first film. Every money shot is pure, colorful spectacle, even if it all has a unsurprising dark edge to it. Plus, Cumberbatch’s growling voice proves once and for all that he’s the illegitimate son of Jeremy Irons and Ian McKellen.
Although the tone of this teaser is played almost too seriously, hopefully Abrams didn’t get rid of the first film’s sense of humor.
Star Trek Into Darkness opens May 17th, 2013