During Cumberbatch’s interview with O’Brien in December 2013, while the actor promoted his role as Smaug in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, he was forced to revisit the Khan shower clip, which Conan showed yet again (and resulted in yet more online media linking to it throughout the next few days).[42] Cumberbatch, who likely had been warned that O’Brien would bring up the clip, explained that a friend informed him that he had been seen “half naked” on Conan. His initial reaction to Abrams’ decision to show the shower scene was “Damn the man. He’s just sort of thrown me out there, under the bus”.
Even during the December interview Cumberbatch seemed embarrassed by the scene, although he poked fun at his expression in it and emphasised that he was only teasing Abrams with his criticism. His “oh, God” as the clip began and pained expressions immediately before and after it was shown indicate his feelings about the publicity given to a clip shown out of context and playing up beefcake instead of his dramatic chops.
Nevertheless, Cumberbatch’s reputation was not under the bus. Cumberbatch, trying to be a good sport when the clip was broadcast not once but twice on Conan, seemed to be the victim of a prank. He has never traded on his appearance or tried to gain fame as a sex symbol, although many fans find him incredibly attractive and regularly rate him highly on “sexiest men” lists. If anything, the actor has downplayed or made fun of his looks. However, because he has been embarrassed by Abrams’ interview but only commented about it in a joking way or explained that directors routinely decide how to showcase a performance without the actor’s input, Cumberbatch benefitted even from this stunt. He remains a “good employee” who tries to do what is best for the movie, whether that means “months of white lies, and I’m going straight to hell for that man”[43] or not firing off negative comments about his director showing a shower scene without his knowledge.
Abrams, on the other hand, faced average or even negative film reviews, in addition to backlash from long-time Trek fans. Once the initial fervour over a new Trek movie diminished after an opening weekend of “just” $84 million box office,[44] the film’s plot was picked apart and found lacking in substance.
By December 2013, Abrams admitted during an MTV interview that keeping Khan a secret maybe was not the smartest marketing move. The director said, “it probably would have been smarter just to say upfront ‘This is who it is.’ It was only trying to preserve the fun of it”.[45] Abrams further explained the dilemma in marketing the film in light of the “Khan question”. The studio felt it was important not only to attract Star Trek fans but to reach out to a wider audience. Mentioning Khan was in the film, the studio feared, would make it seem like moviegoers already had to know Star Trek in order to enjoy the film. Abrams admitted that he could understand the studio’s position, but he also wondered “if it would have seemed a little bit less like an attempt at deception if we had just come out with it”.[46]
With the publication of these and similar statements, Cumberbatch was again metaphorically hung out to dry, even without a sexy shower scene. While he should have been promoting The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, interviewers often brought up Abrams’ recently announced regret at keeping Khan a secret. The actor was asked to comment about misleading journalists until Into Darkness debuted and being extremely vague in his answers to interviewers’ questions.
Cumberbatch is usually an excellent interview because he provides detailed insights into his character’s development and significance. Being unable to do so (or feeling compelled to lie about the character) during the early press junkets for Into Darkness could have damaged his reputation with journalists or provided a less positive image of the actor among those just getting to know him. Instead of seeming upset about Abrams’ second-guessing the effectiveness of keeping Khan a secret, Cumberbatch reported that being in a cinema and hearing the audience respond positively (and enthusiastically) to the character saying his real name is Khan “made all the lying worthwhile”.[47]
Perhaps a not-so-unexpected “benefit” to being seen “half naked” on television was having fans appropriate the clip, turn it into an animated .gif, and post it to numerous Tumblr and other fan sites across the Internet. The image of Khan’s body slowly turning in the shower is now digitally immortalised as a testament to Cumberbatch’s beefed up body, the result of many hours of training and careful nutrition prior to taking on the role of Khan. Cumberbatch’s - not Khan’s - sex appeal on screen has been promoted and his reputation as a sex symbol (which is not an image the actor courts) has increased because of fan promotion of clips or stills from the shower scene.
Whereas 2013 seemed to be Cumberbatch’s year, and his Star Trek performance and its global publicity brought him more attention than ever, the film franchise and Abrams received a great deal of criticism. During Creation Entertainment’s annual Star Trek megaconvention in Las Vegas, fans voted Into Darkness as the worst Trek film of all time,[48] in large part because of the way the sequel’s plot relied heavily on the fan-voted best film, Wrath of Khan, instead of boldly going where no one had gone before with the franchise.
Cumberbatch and Future Khan
Cumberbatch’s influence on the Star Trek franchise includes more than the actor’s role in the movie. Cumberbatch-as-Khan is increasingly becoming part of Star Trek canon. In Alan Dean Foster’s novelisation of Star Trek: Into Darkness, Khan’s physical and vocal descriptions match Cumberbatch’s performance and appearance. Additionally, Cumberbatch’s face is featured in photographs and artists’ drawings of Khan in the IDW limited-run comic book series, Star Trek: Khan.
Foster’s Novelisation and Cumberbatch’s Performance
Foster’s novelisation of Star Trek: Into Darkness gives readers insights into the film’s script, the actors’ performances, and the author’s own development of iconic characters. In particular, this novelisation offers a slightly different interpretation of Khan even from the screen version - one much closer to Cumberbatch’s description of his character during the many press interviews surrounding the film’s many international premieres.
As Foster mentioned during an interview with StarTrek.com,[49] he wrote this novelisation at a time when e-publishing permits changes to be made nearly to the last minute before official publication, which gave him the ability to merge the script and information gleaned during filming and post-production with his view of the story. In particular, characters could be significantly expanded in print - a film audience usually is not privy to a character’s innermost thoughts or interior monologue.
As Cumberbatch restated during publicity for Star Trek but perhaps said best in a Rolling Stone interview,[50] “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”. Putting his character in a more favourable light, the actor noted that “The care he has for his people, his crew and his family is a complete parallel to Kirk”.
In his novel, Foster expanded upon this idea, not only in descriptions that go beyond script direction or elements of Cumberbatch’s performance. At eight separate points in the novel, the author refers to Harrison/ Khan as a saviour, whether his actions save a child or a Captain. Instead of making Khan only a villain, the novelisation supports Cumberbatch’s interpretation that Khan is capable of doing great harm, but he also can use his considerable learned skills, as well as his genetically enhanced body, to save others.
The novel, much more than the film, explains the Spock-Khan chess match late in the film that determines where Khan’s crew ends up. The author’s license to explain actions and motivations in greater detail is a benefit to Khan’s character development. Once the Enterprise is (temporarily) safe, Doctor McCoy’s page-length speech elaborates on Khan’s decision to beam his crew aboard the appropriately named USS Vengeance. This monologue provides a great deal of insight into Khan’s reasoning, actions, and time frame for decision making, all which would have slowed the movie’s pace as it built momentum toward the final fight scenes. In
the novelisation, Khan errs and eventually is captured primarily because he is in a hurry; in the film, this mastermind seems suddenly less intelligent in underestimating Spock.
Foster, as readers might expect from such a masterful author, excels at precise word choice. Khan’s is the voice “heard” forcefully throughout the novel. As in the memorable trailer that introduced audiences to Cumberbatch’s character, readers “hear” his voice before they read a physical description. What Cumberbatch termed Khan’s “scalpel precision” of thought and speech is personified through Foster’s careful selection of descriptors, with verbs like snarl and roar and tones that, at different emotional high points in a scene, are pitying, condescending, firm, sharp, relentless, matter-of-fact, unshakably confident. As Foster illustrated through a crew member’s dialogue, “Listen to him too long, and he’ll have you believing anything”.[51]
Foster’s novelisation underscores the nuances that make Cumberbatch’s portrayal of a blockbuster villain more than just the typical psycho or megalomaniac. Throughout the novel and film Khan is a man with a plan, one that only hints at the depths of his focus and determination to mould the world according to his personal vision.
What is particularly interesting about this novelisation is its close connection not only to the finished film but to specific aspects of Cumberbatch’s performance. The novelisation was written during the film’s production and post-production, and specific aspects of Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Khan, from physical appearance (“His face was narrow, his eyes remarkably penetrating”[52]) to performance (“the tear that ran down his right cheek”[53]), have been included.
Wherever the character of Khan goes next in the Trekverse, this novelisation clearly blends Cumberbatch’s performance with the scripted characterisation, as well as Foster’s own insight into Khan. In fact, given Foster’s description of writing a novelisation as “work for hire,” far fewer of his original ideas make it into this type of writing than in one of his original works. Thus, Cumberbatch’s performance gains even more weight in this print adaptation.
Cumberbatch as the Model for Comic-book Khan
Cumberbatch-as-Khan not only has become part of Trek’s history but also its future beyond the film. When, in late 2013, IDW published another comic book series based on Khan, the first since its 2011 reprint of the Star Trek: Khan, Ruling in Hell comics, Khan of the present (and presumably future) no longer looks like Wrath of Khan’s Montalban but Into Darkness’ Cumberbatch.
Every cover features Cumberbatch’s image, usually in close-up, whether in a drawing or a still from the movie. The exclusive covers sent to the comic book series’ subscribers show a photograph of Cumberbatch (sometimes looking more like the actor than Khan standing on the Enterprise set); these limited editions seem especially designed for Cumberbatch fans who would enjoy a previously unpublished still of the actor from his role in the movie. Although the artists working on this series have a variety of styles, each renders Khan recognisable as the Cumberbatch portrayal. Four of the five “regular” covers provide a drawing of Khan’s face as the focal point, and some covers also include a smaller full-body drawing of Khan in an action pose. There is no doubt that readers identify current Khan as a character looking very much like Cumberbatch does in the film.
The series’ plot revolves around Khan’s trial for crimes committed since his awakening by Admiral Marcus (played by Peter Weller in the movie). When Kirk asks why current Khan no longer looks Indian, the story - told in flashbacks - explains how the Montalban model becomes Cumberbatch Khan. The entire purpose of this series (beyond sales to Star Trek or Cumberbatch fans) is to position Cumberbatch’s interpretation as the once and future Khan. Although the 2013-14 Khan comic series only lasted five issues, it nonetheless further establishes Cumberbatch’s likeness as Khan, and, indeed, the actor is Khan for a new generation of movie-going Trek fans.
In autumn 2013, photographs of the morphed images of original Star Trek cast members and the Into Darkness cast made the rounds of online sci-fi websites. Included in the mix was the blended image of Cumberbatch and Montalban,[54] truly a strange combination of features, like a hybrid child born of these two actors. Perhaps that is what Khan has become, a morphed creation that grows up to increasingly resemble Cumberbatch.
As a result of Abrams’ and Paramount’s marketing tactics, Cumberbatch, more than Into Darkness or the rebooted Star Trek franchise, benefitted from the additional media scrutiny and largely remained above fan dissatisfaction. His talk-show appearances gained the interest, in particular, of a wider U.S. demographic (who might not all go to a Star Trek movie) and allowed them to learn about Benedict Cumberbatch. The worldwide spotlight on Into Darkness during its premieres became focused primarily on Cumberbatch, who proved that he can be convincing in an action film and play an iconic villain - aspects of his range that many people had not previously seen. In the marketing “Khan games” surrounding Into Darkness, Cumberbatch, not the Star Trek franchise, is the clear winner.
20 Star Trek: Into Darkness. Dir. J.J. Abrams. Paramount. 2013.
21 Star Trek: Into Darkness teaser. Paramount. Dec. 2012.
22 “Next Stop the Oscars for Star Trek’s Benedict Cumberbatch?” Contactmusic. 7 Dec. 2012.
23 Andrew Sims. “Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pine Promote ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ at First Publicity Event, First Trailer Out Thursday.” Hypable. 4 Dec. 2012.
24 Marc Malkin. “Star Trek Sequel Trailer: Why Co-star Zoe Saldana Made Benedict Cumberbatch Blush Over It.” E!online. 7 Dec. 2012.
25 Simon Brew. “Benedict Cumberbatch on Star Trek: Into Darkness.” Den of Geek. 5 Dec. 2012.
26 Ibid.
27 “Benedict Cumberbatch: ‘Star Trek: Into the Darkness’ Star, Wears Makeup in Japan After Rock Star Welcome (PICTURES).” Huffington Press UK. 16 July 2013.
28 Rob Keyes. “Benicio Del Toro Passes on Playing Star Trek 2’s Khan.” Screen Rant. 10 Feb. 2012.
29 Dave Itzkoff. “How an iPhone Audition Got Benedict Cumberbatch into the Star Trek Sequel.” New York Times. 26 Apr. 2012; Anthony Pascale. “Exclusive: Sherlock Star Benedict Cumberbatch Cast As Star Trek Sequel Villain.” TrekMovie. 4 Jan. 2012.
30 Johnny. Comment 347. Pascale, Anthony. “Major Star Trek Spoilers.” Trek-Movie. 30 Apr. 2012.
31 Marissa Sammy. “Star Trek: Into Whiteness.” Racebending. 9 May 2013.
32 David Blackburn. “Benedict Cumberbatch is Brilliant in Star Trek: Into Darkness.” The Spectator. 11 May 2013.
33 “Benedict Cumberbatch: I’m Not Playing Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness.” Access Hollywood. 13 Dec. 2012.
34 Rory Cashin. “Top 10 Movie Villains of 2013.” Entertainmentwise. 9 Dec. 2013.
35 Deepika Rajani. “Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch ‘Understands Why People Are Obsessed’ With His Personal Life.” Entertainmentwise. 9 May 2013.
36 “Late Night TV Ratings For May 6-10, 2013. TVbytheNumbers. 16 May 2013.
37 The Graham Norton Show. BBC America. Dir. Steve Smith. 9 May 2013.
38 The Late Show with David Letterman. CBS. Dir. Jerry Foley. 9 May 2013.
39 Today. NBC. Dir. Joe Michaels. 9 May 2013.
40 Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. NBC. Dir. Dan Opsal. 10 May 2013.
41 Conan. TNT. 23 May 2013.
42 Conan. TNT. 12 Dec. 2013.
43 Jimmy Kimmel Live. ABC. 5 Dec. 2013.
44 Scott Mendelson. “Weekend Box Office: ‘Star Trek’ Opens with ‘Just’ $84 Million.” Forbes. 19 May 2013.
45 Kevin P. Sullivan. “J.J. Abrams Shares One ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ Regret That Might Surprise You.” MTV. 3 Dec. 2013.
46 I
bid.
47 Jimmy Kimmel Live. 5 Dec. 2013.
48 Graeme McMillan. “Fans Name ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ as the Worst ‘Trek’ Movie Ever.” Hollywood Reporter. 13 Aug. 2013.
49 “Exclusive Interview: STID Novelisation Author Alan Dean Foster, Part 1.” StarTrek. 21 May 2013.
50 Katie Van Syckle. “Q&A: Benedict Cumberbatch on ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Sherlock,’ and Julian Assange.” Rolling Stone. 15 May 2013.
51 Alan Dean Foster. Star Trek:Into Darkness. New York: Pocket Books, p. 243.
52 Ibid., p. 36.
53 Ibid., p. 93.
54 Paula Ersly. “Check Out These Mind-blowing ‘Star Trek’ Face Morphs.” BuzzFeed. 24 Sep. 2013.
Chapter 3
Controversy and Credibility: The Fifth Estate
“I can take a hit.... I’ve had good hits as well, but [box office] isn’t why I do the work.... [O]f course there’s a concern actors have about being bankable, but it hasn’t seemed to affect the industry’s interest in me or the offers I’ve had since”. [55]
Benedict Cumberbatch
When the WikiLeaks website published more than 75,000 U.S. military papers, called the Afghan War Diary, in July 2010, the world changed in light of the largest leak of government information in history. The title of the Cumberbatch-starring film about the creation of WikiLeaks, The Fifth Estate,[56] suggests that public involvement in providing information about corrupt or dangerous people, whether they are individuals, corporations, or governments, is key to a free, well-informed global society. In 2010, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange suddenly became an important name in the cause of social justice, although the entities whose information was leaked consider him an international traitor setting a dangerous precedent. In the ensuing years, versions of the WikiLeaks story have been published in two books. One, Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World’s Most Dangerous Website (2011), written by Daniel Domscheit-Berg, became a source for The Fifth Estate’s script.
Benedict Cumberbatch, Transition Completed Page 5
