Benicio Del Toro set for villain role in 'Star Trek 2'

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Benicio Del Toro is in line to star as the villain in Star Trek 2 after meeting with director JJ Abrams to discuss the role. According to Variety.com, the Sin City star is expected to be offered the part, as soon as the end of this weekend.

Insiders have apparently revealed that Del Toro is not yet been told the exact details of the role in order to keep it secret. Studio Paramount and production firm Skydance declined to comment on the reports.

Filming on the sequel to the 2009 film is expected to start in early 2012. The reboot starred Chris Pine as James T Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock and Simon Pegg as Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott. They've all signed for two sequels, with Quinto recently confirming that the cast are "gearing up" for the first of these.

Del Toro's recent appearances have included roles in forthcoming crime drama Savages and 2010's The Wolfman.

Meanwhile, Abrams' recently wrote, directed and produced Super 8 and worked on Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

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