JJ Abrams: 'Benedict Cumberbatch is a genius'

JJ Abrams has opened up about the casting of Benedict Cumberbatch in Star Trek 2.

The Super 8 director revealed that he considers the Sherlock star to be a "genius", insisting that Cumberbatch was just what he wanted for the follow-up to the 2009 film.

"We just were looking for someone with the most awesome name in history," Abrams joked to Collider. "That was the casting call. We asked for someone with the most awesome name in history, ever, and Benedict Cumberbatch showed up, so we were like, 'You're cast!'

"He's a genius," Abrams continued. "Honestly, he's just an incredible actor. If you've seen his work in Sherlock, he's just got incredible skills.

"I just loved his work and thought that he was perfect for what we needed," he added. "We were just very lucky."

Abrams went on to reveal that the film will be converted into 3D after filming.

"It will be converted, for those who want to see it in 3D," he said. "But, I wanted to match the look of the first one and shoot it anamorphically."

The director added that the film will begin shooting on Thursday (January 12).

Cumberbatch recently said that he is "over the moon" to be starring in Star Trek 2. The actor will reportedly play a villain in the forthcoming movie.

Star Trek 2 opens in cinemas on May 17, 2013.