Benedict Cumberbatch recently shared a humorous memory from the filming of Star Trek Into Darkness, a blockbuster directed by J. J.Abrams that hit theaters in 2013. The movie is the second installment in the Kelvin Timeline of the Star Trek franchise and follows Captain James T. Kirk, portrayed by Chris Pine, and the crew of the U. S.S. Enterprise as they pursue Khan Noonien Singh, a powerful antagonist played by Cumberbatch himself—a role that was kept under wraps prior to the film’s debut.
In a recent interview with Variety, where guests are challenged to recall lines from their work, Cumberbatch identified a line from his role as Khan. This led him to recount a memorable prank that unfolded while shooting at the National Ignition Facility, where the concept of “neutron cream”was humorously introduced. Read on for the amusing tale from Cumberbatch.
We worked in some amazing places, some stunning sets. One location was particularly remarkable: the National Ignition Facility, renowned for its efforts to achieve nuclear fusion instead of fission, with the only byproduct being water. Before I arrived, the crew convinced me that there was this neutron cream needed to apply to my face to protect myself from the abundance of neutrons in the environment.
I was skeptical at first, pondering whether this could truly be necessary. Who am I to question the science? While I’ve portrayed scientists before, I’m not Stephen Hawking. Perhaps it was something unique to American safety protocols. As a way to rationalize my gullibility, I made excuses.
Eventually, I went on set with this “cream”applied, only to be met with a notice I had to read aloud to the crew. In that moment, I joked, “If you’ve been using neutron cream, you’re an idiot—there’s no such thing!” That’s when it hit me; the whole crew had successfully tricked me. It was fantastic.
The Impact of Cumberbatch’s Casting as Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness
The Secret Behind Khan’s Role
The Kelvin Timeline iterations of Star Trek have been generally well-received, yet Star Trek Into Darkness has proven to be somewhat polarizing. While reviews leaned positive, many fans were not pleased with Cumberbatch’s casting as Khan. This discontent largely stemmed from the marketing strategy, which masked his character’s true identity, leading audiences to feel misled prior to the film’s launch.
In a 2013 interview with MTV, J. J.Abrams explained that keeping Cumberbatch’s role under wraps was intended to allow newcomers to the franchise to remain engaged. However, he expressed some regret, pondering if the secrecy came off as somewhat deceptive. Ultimately, the film achieved impressive commercial success, grossing $467 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing entry in the Star Trek series.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Star Trek Into Darkness boasts an 84% rating from critics and an 89% audience score, indicating a strong reception despite mixed feelings about certain aspects of the film.
Analyzing Cumberbatch’s Prank Experience
The Potential for Star Trek 4
The overall success of the Kelvin Timeline movies can be attributed in large part to their stellar casting. The excellent chemistry among actors like Pine, Karl Urban, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldaña, and Simon Pegg contributed significantly to the film’s appeal, blending humor with thrilling action. Cumberbatch notably enhanced this dynamic, portraying a villain that left a lasting impression.
While it appears unlikely that Cumberbatch will reprise his role as Khan, there remains hope for Captain Kirk and his team’s return in Star Trek 4. Chris Pine and many of his co-stars have expressed enthusiasm for the project, yet complications have kept the film in development limbo. The future of another Star Trek movie remains uncertain, but Cumberbatch has fond memories of working on Star Trek Into Darkness, and his recounting of this lighthearted prank adds a delightful layer to the film’s legacy.
Source: Variety
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