Trekkies shrieked with delight earlier this week when a new poster for the upcoming Star Trek sequel dropped but they're still in the dark about Benedict Cumberbatch's role in the film.

The Sherlock star is hotly tipped to star as Khan Noonien Singh, the infamous genetically engineered superhuman tyrant who is one of film's most famous villains. Cumberbatch has been tight lipped about his character but this week he did offer a few teasers about the nature of the role to Trek Movie.

"He is very ruthless... He is not a clearly good or evil character. He is a villain but the actions he takes has intent and reason," the site quotes Cumberbatch as saying. "He is a complicated character not to be judged by white-or-black, or good-or-evil. But this is the appeal of JJ's works and I felt challenged as an actor."

Most of the original crew of the Enterprise are returning for Into Darkness, which will hit cinemas in July 2013. Fans can get a taster of what's in store when a 9 minute teaser plays ahead of The Hobbit in IMAX theatres from December 14th. Ah lads, we Khant wait.