First Set Photos From the ‘Star Trek’ Sequel

"Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Spock"?

The first photos from the set of the sequel to 2009's "Star Trek" have leaked, and from what we can see it looks like it will be just as action-packed as its predecessor. What's more, the shots give us the first look at the villain from the film currently in production.

The photos show Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana returning to the roles of Spock and Uhura, along with new cast member Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays their still-unnamed adversary. The actors were photographed while they rehearsed and shot a fight scene on a large exterior set in front of a green screen (the background will be added in later digitally).

Benedict Cumberbatch is a British actor who broke out playing the lead role in "Sherlock," the BBC's modern-day Sherlock Holmes series. In 2011, he appeared in two critically acclaimed films: "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" opposite Gary Oldman, and Steven Spielberg's Oscar-nominated "War Horse." It had originally been announced that Benicio del Toro would be the bad guy in the new "Star Trek," but after he dropped out of the project Cumberbatch was cast in his place.

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Little is known about the character Cumberbatch will play, but we can gather some clues from the photos. He appears to be wearing a black Starfleet shirt like Kirk wore in the first movie before he was made an officer. He's apparently strong enough to tussle with Spock, but his rounded ears would indicate he's not a Vulcan. And it looks like he made Uhura mad enough to blast him with her phaser (presumably set to stun, not to kill).

Director J.J. Abrams and the cast from the last movie are all returning for the next installment, but it will not beam into theaters until May of 2013.

Watch the trailer for 2009's "Star Trek":

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