J.J. Abrams on Star Trek Into Darkness and Star Trek 3

On the Theme of the Film:

“There’s nothing worse for me than reading what the theme of a book is or a movie and then reading it and being like: that’s the theme. The theme is you feel it…I do think that by default this a deeper movie. It’s certainly a bigger movie because the first one was kind of the origin story which is great because it’s so easy. You just introduce people and yet now they know each other so it has to go deeper.”

On dealing with the large cast of characters, which is even bigger this time around:

“Honestly, it’s never easier the next time, ever, for anything. You always think, “Oh, I’ve done that, it’ll be easier the next time.” No, it’s harder the next time. But it’s important that every character needs to be in the story, otherwise they shouldn’t be. But I wouldn’t say it was easier.”

On the persistant rumors that Benedict Cumberbatch’s character is Khan even though it he been revealed as John Harrison:

“I just can’t wait for people to see the movie.  Benedict is unbelievable. It’s a tall order, coming into that movie, because the crew of the Enterprise, that cast is so damn good and they’re wonderful to work with and they’re all good hearts.  So, to come into that group, as he did, as Alice Eve did and as Peter Weller did, and be one of the family was something that I was doubtful could happen. And he completely did it. I not only love him in the movie, but I love him, as a human being. He’s an amazing guy. I can’t wait for people to see the movie and experience what he’s done.”

On the scene from the trailer that looked like the end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan:

“Well, I would say that you’ve got to see the movie to see. I don’t want to give away what that is, but we’ve all seen Wrath of Khan. With one or two exceptions, we’re not idiots. We are aware of the movie. I love Wrath of Khan.”

On if he has thought about Star Trek III:

“No, sir, not yet. I’m sure that the studio would love that to be a possibility but it’s up to the audience to decide if there needs to be one…There are things we’ve talked about but there’s no script or anything, it’s just ideas.”

Benedict Cumberbatch Is Not Khan In Star Trek Into Darkness

“I play a character called John and not that other name.It’s interesting. Speculation is speculation and that’s all fun.

“I play John Harrison who’s a terrorist and an extraordinary character in his own right. He’s somebody who is not your two-dimensional cookie cutter villain. He’s got an extraordinary purpose, and I hope that at one point or other in the film you might even sympathize with the reasons he’s doing what he’s doing — not necessarily the means and the destruction he causes. But it was a great ride, not just because he’s the bad guy and the antagonist but also because he has a purpose and it’s hard not to see his point of view at certain points.”

Not really sure where the whole Khan thing came from besides the one scene that resembles when Spock died in the international trailer.  This character looks nothing like Khan.