Benicio Del Toro has pulled out of negotiations to appear in Star Trek 2.

The Wolfman actor was in talks to play the lead bad guy in the forthcoming J.J. Abrams-directed sequel - starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana - but "monetary issues" have ended chances of him starring. Although no details of who the character is have so far been leaked, NYPost.com's Vulture blog claims he was set to play Khan Noonien-Singh in the much-hyped project.

The character - a genetically engineered super-human - originally appeared in the original Star Trek TV series and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and was played by Ricardo Montalban. No actors have been named as possible successors to Benicio, but with the film due to begin shooting in January a replacement will have to be found shortly.

The sequel is set to be shot in 3-D by director J.J., while Alice Eve - best known for the role of the Irish nanny in Sex and the City 2 - is signed up to star.