Summary
Released in 2016,Star Trek Beyondintroduces audiences to a brand-newStar Trekvillain, Krall, played by Idris Elba. The third movie in J.J. Abrams’Kelvin TimelineStar Trekmovies,Star Trek Beyondcontinues the adventure begun in 2009’sStar Trek, asthe crew of the USS Enterprise truly gel together.Krall serves as an opposing force to the two Starfleet teams also stranded on the planet Altamid: one consisting of Mr. Spock (Zachary Quinto) and Dr. Leonard McCoy (Karl Urban), and the other made up of Captain Kirk (Chris Pine), Montgomery Scott (Simon Pegg), and newcomer Jaylah (Sofia Boutella).
To exact revenge upon the Federation, Krall uses the technology that was left behind by Altamid’s native people, including machines that prolong Krall’s life, and drones that attack as a swarm.Krall is hellbent on assembling a powerful weapon, the Abronath,but only has one half. Upon discovering thatthe USS Enterprisecarries the other half of the Abronath, Krall captures the Enterprise and sets his sights on Starbase Yorktown, a bustling Federation colony. ThroughoutStar Trek Beyond, Krall speaks of his past as a dedicated soldier on a warlike planet whose government betrayed him.
Sofia Boutella: Star Trek Beyond’s Jaylah Actor Explained
Star Trek Beyond introduced brand-new character named Jaylah, played by Rebel Moon actress Sofia Boutella.
Idris Elba Played Krall In Star Trek Beyond
InStar Trek Beyond,Idris Elba’s Krall is a seemingly alien villain with a surprising origin as a human named Balthazar Edison. Edison was a MACO veteran who joined Starfleet after the forming of the United Federation of Planets, but Edison’s ship, the22nd-century USS Franklin, crashed on Altamid. Krall’s decidedly non-human appearance is due to the use of energy transference technology that prolonged Edison’s life but gave Edison the physical features of his alien victims. Because Krall was once human,the warlike planet that Krall describes throughoutStar Trek Beyondis, in fact, a pre-Federation Earth,and Krall’s vengeance comes from feeling abandoned by the Federation.
As a MACO, Edison is a veteran of the Xindi Wars, which ties Krall back to the season-long story arc ofStar Trek: Enterpriseseason 3.
Idris Elba is a prolific English actor whose role as Russell “Stringer” Bell in the acclaimed TV seriesThe Wiremade him more well-known to US audiences. Elba made the jump from primarily television roles to movies after 2007’s28 Weeks Later.Idris Elba’s career spans genres, from action roles like Heimdall in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stacker Pentecost inPacific Rim, and theFast & Furiousfranchise; to voice acting as Shere Khan inThe Jungle Bookand Knuckles inSonic the Hedgehog 2. Elba has also taken on dramatic roles, starring as Nelson Mandela in 2013’sMandela: Long Walk to Freedom, and the Apple TV+ seriesHijack.
Where Does Krall Rank Among Star Trek Movie Villains?
Krall Doesn’t Have Much Impact On The Star Trek Franchise
AmongStar Trekmovie villains,Idris Elba’s Krall doesn’t rank particularly highly.Krall is relatively forgettable compared to villains who greater impact on the franchise with their repeat appearances. Ricardo Montalbán’s Khan Noonien Singh inStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khaninspired Benedict Cumberbatch’s turn as Khan inStar Trek Into Darkness.Three different versions of the Borg Queenappeared inStar Trek:Alice Krige, debuting inStar Trek: First Contact;Susanna Thompson inStar Trek: Voyager;and Annie Wersching inStar Trek: Picard. Krall also isn’t a member of anyStar Trekmainstay antagonists, like Klingons or Romulans.
Buried under layers of prosthetic makeup, it’s hard to tell that Krall was portrayed by such a memorable actor.
Idris Elba’s Krall inStar Trek Beyondwas a missed opportunity. Buried under layers of prosthetic makeup, it’s hard to tell that Krall was portrayed by such a memorable actor. Before the reveal that Krall was once human, Krall is fairly effective as a mid-level antagonist who opposes the USS Enterprise crew’s story of teamwork.The most interesting thing about Krall is Krall’s twist origin as Edison,which changes Krall’s story into a commentary on the treatment of veterans as forgotten citizens. Unfortunately, the revelation comes too late inStar Trek Beyondand gets as lost as Idris Elba in the Krall makeup.
