Shatner, Khan in Star Trek sequel?

After the stellar box office numbers of "Star Trek" last week ($75.20 million), it’s no surprise that the word "sequel" is being bandied about. And J.J. Abrams says he’s open to the idea of William Shatner and/or Khan being in the next movie.

"The fun of this [new alternate 'Trek' reality] is that the destiny of these characters is in their hands — it’s not constrained by the pre-existing films or TV series," Abrams told MTV News. "Believe me, whether it’s William Shatner or Khan … it would be ridiculous to not be open to those ideas."

If you’ve seen the new movie, you know there’s an alternative timeline involved in the story. Sure, Capt. Kirk died in a previous film, but that doesn’t mean he can’t come back to life in future movies.

And what of Khan Noonien Singh, the evil villain played by Ricardo Montalban in previous films, including "The Wrath of Khan"? Abrams says he may NOT have been stuck on Ceti Alpha V. You know, different timelines and all. Writer/producers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman are already talking about bringing Khan back.

Who would play him, though? How about Ruben Blades? Or maybe Gael Garcia Bernal (pictured)? I guess they wouldn’t have to be of Latin descent, unless the filmmakers follow along the Ricardo Montalban ethnicity.

Of course, who knows when or if a sequel will be made. Says Abrams, "We’re all still coming down from making this movie." I can imagine!

Images: INF; William Shatner, Runway For Life Gala benefiting St. Jude Children’s Reserach Hospital, Beverly Hilton Hotel, Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 11, 2008; Gael Garcia Bernal, Premiere of 8, 2008 Rome Film Festival, Oct. 23, 2008.