From the moment that J.J. Abrams was announced as the director for "Star Wars: Episode VII" there was speculation that he would bring some of his favorite actors with him, possibly some of the actors who had appeared in that other space related franchise.
The first actor to deny switching franchises was Zachary Quinto. Following Spock's lead of sticking with "Star Trek" was Scotty; Simon Pegg said that the "Star Wars" movies were such a huge part of him growing up that he wouldn't want to be part of them and instead he wants to enjoy them like a fan.
The website Film Chronicles is reporting that a star from "Star Trek: Into Darkness" could be making the jump over to the galaxy far, far away; there are rumors that Lucasfilm is preparing to announce that Benedict Cumberbatch, Khan in the most recent "Star Trek," will be the first actor officially introduced as being part of the cast of "Star Wars: Episode VII."
Previously in an interview with Total Film Cumberbatch joked about wanting to play a lightsaber in the new film as well as expressing his love of the franchise.
"I thought, 'Yeah, I grew up with them,' and I just looked recently at when they were released and now I'm like, 'No, I didn't grow up with them, I was born with them,'" Cumberbatch told Total Film about the original trilogy. "They were a huge part of my background, and my upbringing.
"I was much more connected to ["Star Wars"] as a kid, in the way that a lot of kids are because it's immediate storytelling, very simple - a beautifully, outrageously simple narrative in a way - and a wonderful three-act melodrama, opera. And I loved them. I really, really loved those films and I always wanted to be Han Solo."
Since there are very few details about the plot of the upcoming film it is still not known what sort of role Cumberbatch may be playing. He seems to be a bit too old if the movie is going to be focused on the children of Skywalker and Solo. Perhaps he will be a villain just like he was in "Star Trek."
Fueling the speculation that Cumberbatch may be involved in the "Star Wars" film is that he dropped out of Guillermo del Toro's upcoming project "Crimson Peak," which happens to be scheduled to film at roughly the same time, according to Film Chronicles.
If there is truth to this rumor it will be interesting to see how fans react to another actor associated with "Star Trek" crossing over into "Star Wars." As always, once there are official announcements don't forget to come back to HNGN where we will have all the information, and possibly the droids, that you are looking for.
