First Star Trek 2 Set Images Include Benedict Cumberbatch's Villain

The first unofficial location shots from the Los Angeles set of J.J. Abram's Star Trek sequel have emerged onto the web, including a debut look at the mystery villain to be played by Benedict Cumberbatch. The photo above features Zachary Quinto's Spock giving Cumberbatch's baddie a Vulcan nerve pinch on what is described as a "space barge set". If you look closely, it may give us some clues as to what type of villain the Brit is portraying. If nothing else it looks like he is playing a human villain and if you look ever so closely at the photograph you can see Cumberbatch's black shirt has a starfleet logo attached to it. Does this mean he is playing a renegade member of Starfleet who has gone evil against the Enterprise? What came to my mind straight away and to a few others across the web is Gary Mitchell, a memorable villain from the original series and who actually appeared in the screened Trek pilot (which was actually the second shot) episode "Where No Many Has Gone Before". In the episode we find out the Lt. Cmdr. is Kirk's best friend and the Enterprise navigator but during a mission encounter with a strange occurrence he is transformed into a God like being. It is a fantastic episode and a great villain, one that would make for a great movie. Cumberbatch is great casting, I just wish he had appeared in the original film which would have made his villainous turn even better for the sequel... P.S. One other clue that he could be Mitchell is that the photographer claims the fight continues after the Vulcan nerve pinch, something that no villain can usually resist! The second new image features Zoe Saldana's Uhura in a phaser showdown with Cumberbatch.... The images originate at MTV and I imagine there will be more to come!