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Star Trek: Fans need to accept Benedict Cumberbatch was Khan

By Chad Porto

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: (L-R) Actors Chris Pine, Alice Eve, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Benedict Cumberbatch attend the UK Premiere of "Star Trek Into Darkness" at The Empire Cinema on May 2, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: (L-R) Actors Chris Pine, Alice Eve, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana and Benedict Cumberbatch attend the UK Premiere of "Star Trek Into Darkness" at The Empire Cinema on May 2, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) /
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A Star Trek fan theory speculates Benedict Cumberbatch wasn’t Khan.

This is a seven-year-old theory, resurrected by CBR but it comes at a time where some fans still hate the fact that Benedict Cumberbatch portrayed the legendary Star Trek villain, Khan Noonien Singh in 2013’s Star Trek: Into Darkness. The theory from Reddit user u/Amon_Equalist theorizes that John Harrison was the real name of Benedict’s character and Khan was a symbolic title for whoever woke up first.

A theory debunked with a Star Trek: Into Darkness tie-in comic.

Cumberbatch’s Khan isn’t as celebrated or respected as Ricardo Montalban’s version. There are some reasons for that but mostly it has to do with a superficial nature. Both men are/were incredible actors, and both had amazing performances with the role.

Honestly, Cumberbatch was one of the best parts of the film, and his line delivery was great.

Plus he looks like the Grinch when he smiles.

Fans will have to accept Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan eventually

You don’t have to like Star Trek: Into Darkness, though I did. A lot. It’s my second favorite Star Trek film behind Star Trek: First Contact and it’s not at all due to Alice Eve being gorgeous. Nope. Not. One. Bit. Well, maybe a little bit to do with my Enterprise-size crush on her. That’s not the only reason. Cumberbatch’s Khan wasn’t the same suave individual Montablan’s version was, but that was a good thing. Cumberbatch’s felt more unhinged. A man barely holding together his sanity, being awoken in a time that he didn’t want to be in, and being forced to work on weapons he had no desire to do.

He just wanted to sleep. That was a great twist to the character Why wouldn’t he be mad (crazy) at this point? He’s a science experiment used for war. Who wouldn’t want fiery justice.

Some of the issues fans have with him aren’t totally unfounded, but most of them are needless and nitpicky at best. The constant need to shout out that Cumberbatch was not of Indian descent was one of the worst arguments out there. Firstly, because Khan doesn’t have a country of origin canonically. Secondly, because Khan has always been played by Europeans. Montalban was born to Spanish immigrants in Mexico.

When it comes to Cumberbatch’s performance as Khan, the only question should be “did you like his performance”? You don’t need to, it’s ok if you didn’t. That, however, should be the only criteria for if you liked his Khan or not.

I, for one, loved it.

Next. Star Trek Phase II: 3 characters who were going to be main cast members. dark

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