Cumberbatch talks John Harrison [spoilers]

[SalvorHardin]

Let the speculation continue

Cumberbatch:

"He's a terrorist; he operates as a terrorist," said the British actor. "He has extraordinary physical powers, but also mental powers. He can sow an idea, which is as powerful as gunshots or close-hand combat, which he's masterful in. He tears into the fabric of both the world and the Enterprise family, and he leaves behind him a trail of devastation. It's quite exciting to watch."

"Giving away the full motivation would ruin it," he said, "but it's personal. It's also political, I think. He's somebody who, at some point in the film, you should feel a certain amount of empathy towards his cause, if not his means. ... There's no two-dimensional obstacle he presents purely and simply by the fact that he's opposing our hero."

"He has an interesting relationship with Kirk, and with Spock in a way," teased Cumberbatch. "He very much plays them off against each other. There's an element of shadow to him and Kirk."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xoe9vpQcPw
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xoe9vpQcPw[/yt]

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1698760/benedict-cumberbatch-star-trek.jhtml

 

[lurok]

It's not Sybok.

Though I so want it to be The Final Frontier reboot.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

Mental powers, huh? Well, that rules Khan out.

 

[trevanian]

Mental powers, huh? Based on Ms. Marcus' scream, am wondering if she will be seduced by the dark side of the force, so lil Marcus might not be Kirk's in this reality.

 

[Draculasaurus]

All your Pike is belong to us!

 

[Nerys Myk]

Mental powers, huh? Well, that rules Khan out.

Mental powers can also mean superior intellect. You know, the kind that Kirk laughs at.

 

[Franklin]

Mental powers, huh? Well, that rules Khan out.

Maybe. Mental powers could just mean great intellect. "He can sow an idea" could be metaphorical for a great power of persuasion, not the actual abililty to control another person's mind. Just sayin'. Of course, anyone who knows for sure ain't talkin'.

Edited to add: Beat me to the thought by one minute Santa Kang.

 

[SalvorHardin]

It looks like even though we learn new things every day, it's not enough for any villain candidate to be ruled out by fans.

 

[Enterprise is Great]

Mental powers, huh? Well, that rules Khan out.

Mental powers can also mean superior intellect. You know, the kind that Kirk laughs at.

Yeah. I was going to edit my post and add "unless he means mental powers in a metaphorical way." but you beat me to it.

 

[M'Sharak]

It looks like even though we learn new things every day, it's not enough for any villain candidate to be ruled out by fans.

It's not (choose one):

A. Khan
B. Gary Mitchell
C. Gary Seven
D. Jean-Luc Picard
E. Trelane
F. George Samuel "Johnny" Kirk
G. Arne Darvin
H. Cyrano Jones
I. Kevin Riley
J. Kang
K. Kor
L. Koloth
M. Korax
N. a tribble
O. Nilz Baris
P. Gorgan
Q. Q
R. Soran
S. Henoch
T. Kollos
U. Janice Lester
V. Captain Garrovick
W. Ben Finney
X. Finnegan
Y. Rose
Z. Boothby​

 

[Ovation]

It looks like even though we learn new things every day, it's not enough for any villain candidate to be ruled out by fans.

It's not (choose one):

A. Khan
B. Gary Mitchell
C. Gary Seven
D. Jean-Luc Picard
E. Trelane
F. George Samuel "Johnny" Kirk
G. Arne Darvin
H. Cyrano Jones
I. Kevin Riley
J. Kang
K. Kor
L. Koloth
M. Korax
N. a tribble
O. Nilz Baris
P. Gorgan
Q. Q
R. Soran
S. Henoch
T. Kollos
U. Janice Lester
V. Captain Garrovick
W. Ben Finney
X. Finnegan
Y. Rose
Z. Boothby​

Then, by the fact he's not on this list, it must be…LAZARUS!!!!

 

[marksound]

It looks like even though we learn new things every day, it's not enough for any villain candidate to be ruled out by fans.

It's not (choose one):

U. Janice Lester​

Are you sure? Cuz I got money ridin' on this!

 

[Balrog]

All your Pike is belong to us!

Perhaps...

Pike's mission to Talos IV never occurred. What if a mission led by Harrison went instead, and he did learn the mental powers of the Talosians...

 

[Xaios]

It's not (choose one):

A. Khan
B. Gary Mitchell
C. Gary Seven
D. Jean-Luc Picard
E. Trelane
F. George Samuel "Johnny" Kirk
G. Arne Darvin
H. Cyrano Jones
I. Kevin Riley
J. Kang
K. Kor
L. Koloth
M. Korax
N. a tribble
O. Nilz Baris
P. Gorgan
Q. Q
R. Soran
S. Henoch
T. Kollos
U. Janice Lester
V. Captain Garrovick
W. Ben Finney
X. Finnegan
Y. Rose
Z. Boothby
​

That settles it.






It's the Pakleds.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Mental powers, huh? Well, that rules Khan out.

Not in the least, because Cumberbatch elaborates to indicate that he's not talking about literal "powers" like mind control or telekinesis. Khan in "Space Seed" was clearly as accustomed to leading by persuasion and/or seduction of one kind or another as by intimidation or force.

In fact, Cumberbatch's description of the villain leaves some version of Khan as a possibility and rules Mitchell out.

 

[Ovation]

Mental powers, huh? Well, that rules Khan out.

Not in the least, because Cumberbatch elaborates to indicate that he's not talking about literal "powers" like mind control or telekinesis.

Really? Was that in the video (that I cannot see from my location)? It isn't in the text of the accompanying article.

Khan in "Space Seed" was clearly as accustomed to leading by persuasion and/or seduction of one kind or another as by intimidation or force.

In fact, Cumberbatch's description of the villain leaves some version of Khan as a possibility and rules Mitchell out.

I never bought into the Mitchell scenario, but frankly, at least here, the probability that it is Khan is not especially compelling either. It may very well be Khan (though I would find that disappointing) but I'm not ready to bet any money on it.

 

[M'Sharak]

Mental powers, huh? Well, that rules Khan out.

Not in the least, because Cumberbatch elaborates to indicate that he's not talking about literal "powers" like mind control or telekinesis.

Really? Was that in the video (that I cannot see from my location)? It isn't in the text of the accompanying article.

There's a little bit from Cumberbatch which isn't quoted, but they get the bulk of what he says - all of the important bits are there, I think. Rather than anything which was omitted from the text, I suspect Legion was referring to the part where Cumberbatch said:

He can sow an idea, which is as powerful as gunshots or close-hand combat, which he's masterful in.

He's particularly adept at suggestion and persuasion, sounds like.

 

[Franklin]

Would Khan have a cause that we may feel empathy for, as Cumberbatch says the character does?

And on whom is this Khan seeking vengeance?

And how does he get into Starfleet (or at least the "organization," as it's said in the synopsis)?

Why does he want to save a little girl?

And finally, Khan with a pseudonym? Really? Khan? The great and mighty Khan afraid to reveal himself? Khan don't need no stinking pesudonnym. He's Khan.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

This sounds more and more like a perfect character to be played by Cumberbatch.

 

[sttngfan1701d]

Sick of this secrecy and doubletalk. It was cute the first time around. This time....just tell us please.