Former 'RoboCop,' '24' Star Joins 'Star Trek 2' Cast

According to Deadline, a new name has signed on with J.J. Abrams' due-in-2013 "Star Trek 2."

The website has confirmed that "RoboCop" star and TV veteran of "Fringe," "Dexter" and "24" will be joining Abrams' sequel to his blockbuster 2009 "Star Trek" reboot with no specifics about his role confirmed right now. Deadline only described Weller's role as a "principal" part.

In addition to the returning main cast of Christopher Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg and Zoe Saldana, Weller could also be joined by recently discussed addition Alice Eve.

Benicio del Toro had been in talks to join the cast, with rumors flying that he would take up the role of Khan, but New York Magazine reports that negotiations fell apart last week over money. Both Paramount Pictures brass and Abrams recently denied that del Toro would be playing the role Capt. James T. Kirk's (Pine) nemesis, made famous by the late Ricardo Montalban in both the original TV series and 1982's "Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan."

It's enough to wonder if Weller, who might able to look the part of a young Khan as played by Montalban, might be filling that role.

In a sense, the role could mark something of a homecoming for Weller. He played the titular role in director Paul Verhoeven's 1987 "RoboCop," playing "The Future Of Law-Enforcement" cyborg that takes on street gangs and corporate corruption on the streets of Detroit. Coincidentally, a "RoboCop" remake starring Michael Fassbender in Weller's place is also due in 2013.

"Star Trek 2" is set to hit theaters May 17, 2013.