In Star Trek 3, Idris Elba will play an original, “kick-ass” character.
Star Trek 3 screenwriter Simon Pegg has spoken to MTV about the role he’s writing for Luther star Idris Elba.
While he wouldn’t confirm whether Elba will play a villain (as has been rumored), Pegg does reveal, “It will be [an original character], yes. This is the five-year mission now, we’re out there. We don’t always have to keep bumping into the same people… So we’re gonna try and reflect that in the movie.”
Related: Idris Elba to reprise Luther role in 2015 miniseries
Pegg, who also plays Scotty in the reboot movies, adds that Elba’s role will be “kick-ass.”
The first two Star Trek movies were directed by J.J. Abrams, but since he’s busy with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the third installment will be helmed by Justin Lin.
Related: Star Trek 3 casts Kingsman’s Sofia Boutella as female lead
Pegg and his co-writer Doug Jung is working hard to make sure Star Trek 3 keeps the spirit of the original series.
“We can invest in it the spirit of the show and get back to the essence of what it is, and so what we’re hoping to do is make a Star Trek for today that doesn’t forget where it came from,” Pegg says.