He might currently be making headlines in his role as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC’s popular Sherlock series, but it seems that he could soon be headed for Hollywood. The actor has reportedly been cast in the role of Star Trek 2‘s villain – a role which was once rumoured to have been reserves for Puerto Rican actor, Benicio Del Toro.

Whilst details of the character he will play are currently unknown, this could be the breakthrough role for Cumberbatch. The actor had previously tended to star in British dramas, such as Atonement, and last year’s hit tale of espionage, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. However, he has also recently landed a motion capture role of Smaug in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit, which could be another sign that the actor is well on his way to international stardom.

Also making the leap from the Beeb to the big screen is former Doctor Who co-companion, Noel Clarke. Again, little is known about the exact details of his role in the Star Trek sequel, but Clarke is thought to be playing “a family man with a wife and young daughter” – something a little different to the film roles we are used to seeing him play in the likes of Kidulthood, Adulthood and 4.3.2.1.

Many of the first film’s main cast member have already signed on for the sequel, as well as a third film, so we can expect to see Chris Pine reprise his role as Captain James T. Kirk, whilst Zachary Quinto will return in the role of Spock, Zoe Saldana is back as Uhura and Simon Pegg will once again appear as Scotty.

Star Trek 2 will hit US cinemas on 17th May 2013, and a UK release date is yet to be confirmed.

We wouldn’t normally care but a) it’s London baby and b) it’s got an exciting cast.

It’s mixed a host of Brit and American actors, so we’ve got Mena Suvari, star of the legendary American Beauty, Talulah Riley, the St Trinian’s beauty, Matthew McNulty (Control), Jason Maza (Fish Tank) and Juliet Oldfield (Bronson).

On top of all that talent, BAFTA winner Noel Clarke also stars, as well as directing and writing along with Davie Fairbanks. Jesse Lawrence will be making his feature debut as the project’s director.

The story revolves around soulmates Alexandra (Talulah Riley) and Jeremy (Matthew McNulty) who are getting married. Trouble is best man Peter (Clarke) and bridesmaid Sarah (Suvari) aren’t quite on the same page. The question is will they make it to the chapel on time?

Sounds fun, no? Clarke consistently makes good films (Kidulthood, Adulthood), so we’re looking forward to what he does this time.

We’ll keep you posted as soon as we get any more news on The Knot.

After Kidulthood, Adulthood and 4.3.2.1, you wouldn’t have pegged Clarke for the sci-fi role.

Playing criminals and angry, repentant rude boys in and around London, he’s not the first person most people would think of when either “film noir” and “science fiction” are mentioned.

But the short film he starred in has proven he has the ability to do it and do it well, and those few aware of his Doctor Who credentials would agree.

The man’s no stranger to science fiction. “I optioned Reign Of Death a long time ago, for my company,” says Clarke, “with a view to getting a feature done, [not] because of the story, but because the effects can be done on a budget, and done well.”

Matthew Savage, the man behind the pen and the camera, with credits including The Dark Knight and Kick-Ass, is only too happy to gush about the idea.

“The feature takes place within the same universe as the short, but it’s darker and more sinister in tone,” says Savage. “It follows an investigative storyline, with Noel’s gumshoe character taking the lead. The short was an experiment in creating a visually interesting environment within which to tell our story.”

The short film itself is below, in full. Watch, enjoy and feel free to leave comments.