Chris Pine versus Benedict Cumberbatch in NYC: who would you rather?

The press tour for Star Trek Into Darkness has moved to America, and that means we have some assorted photos of Chris Pine and Benedict Cumberbatch out and about in NYC yesterday. Most of these photos are from last night’s red carpet screening of STID, but there are some candids too – Chris Pine walking out of his hotel, looking pretty badass, and Cumby signing autographs for fans whilst wearing his ear buds.

I’m going to make this post a “who would you rather?” thing because one of the most unexpected things happened as I’ve covered the STID press tour: I’ve developed a completely new and welcome crush on Chris Pine. It’s mostly the beard, I’m sure (I have a thing for beards and quality facial hair), but it’s also… him. Pine’s 30s agree with him. He no longer seems like a superficial pretty boy. He has some depth and… I don’t know. Why do I feel the need to defend my crush? Chris Pine is just doing it for me these days, okay? UNF.

As for The Batch, he looks like a funeral director in most of these photos. Of course I would hit it, but I would want to treat it for vitamin deficiency first. Many of you have been bitching about his hair color and his paleness these past few weeks, but you realize that he’s pale and dark-haired for Sherlock, right? He’s filming the third season of Sherlock right now, which is why he’s so pale and wan.

I’m also adding a bonus Cumberbatch photo that Eve just sent me of The Cumberbulge in his STID costume. Okay, that’s doing it for me too. Damn! Go here to see my earlier Cumberpost (which includes the Letterman interview).

Photos courtesy of WENN and Fame/Flynet.

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90 Responses to “Chris Pine versus Benedict Cumberbatch in NYC: who would you rather?”

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  1. Amelia says:

    No question.
    Cumberbatch, all day, everyday, like a house on fire.

    • magz says:

      Ew No.

      • Elle Kaye says:

        I agree…he reminds me of the “Sherminator” from the American Pie movies. He just looks so pasty and waxy…and clammy. I don’t understand the attraction, but there are people I find attractive that I’m certain others might find questionable.

  2. marie says:

    I refuse with the other ladies for Cumby, so I’ll take Chris-with the scruff (he has to have the scruff)

  3. grabbyhands says:

    Well, the Batch has the better suit, but I’m afraid Mr Pine carries off the styling better. Benedict needs to stop with the slicked back hair style-it doesn’t suit him (especially when his hair is at Sherlock length)and it just calls attention to his five head. It needs to be its naturally loose, curly style.

    • T.Fanty says:

      He generally does, although to be fair, he looks like a mobster’s accountant in the candid shot above.

    • Lucrezia says:

      I just got back from seeing STID (squeeee!).

      For a decent chunk of it, Cumby’s rocking an 80’s new-wave look: short back and sides with a massive fringe. It starts so far back on his head it looks like a horse’s forelock.

      It looks half-reasonable from the side (don’t worry the pic is non-spoilery, it’s from the trailer): http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wtn1wAC8oIM/UN00cQtyETI/AAAAAAAAAUA/vNV3oGfRbRI/s320/Benedict-cumberbatch-Star-Trek-teaser.jpg

      But front-on it’s kind of ridiculous … he can’t possibly be able to see through that thing.

      On the other hand, it does suit the shape of his face, and I have fond memories of new-wave. So it’s not all bad 🙂

      • Amelia says:

        Is the twist suitably squee-worthy?

      • T.Fanty says:

        You see, in my head, that’s total mid- sex-hair. I am so very okay with sweaty hair falling over his head as he faces downward. Actually, the only problem I have with that pic is that he is wearing clothes.

      • grabbyhands says:

        I seem to remember him saying that it was hair extensions. Anyway, I liked it too. 🙂

      • Lucrezia says:

        @ Amelia: There was a plot? I was just looking at the pretty boys.

        But seriously, I’m not sure which twist you mean … and can’t really get clarification without edging into spoiler territory. I’m going to take a guess though, and say yes, it was squee-worthy! It’s a fairly safe bet, since at least 90% of the move was squee-worthy.

        Equal to the first movie at least. Better in many aspects, but I’m a total sucker for “hero going down with the ship” stories, so the first one had me in tears with the first 5 minutes … this didn’t have quite the same emotional impact.

  4. Another Ann says:

    I will never understand the obsession with Cumberbatch. He looks like an alien. So, good job casting him in Star Trek, I guess.

    Never cared about Chris Pine one way or the other, but he looks hot here. He’s totally working that suit.

    • Gossip lord says:

      Exactly I have never understood the craze for him. He is remotely unattractive to Me and doesn’t do it at all.

  5. T.Fanty says:

    I’ll take Cumberbatch ,I’m the drawing room, with the blue scarf of sex.

    And maybe the leaf blower.

    • Amelia says:

      And a butterfly catcher in the corner should Hiddlyanna veer into the area.

      • T.Fanty says:

        @Amelia,

        Silly girl. It’s always a fly swatter for when TommyAnne comes within spanking distance.

      • Amelia says:

        A fly swatter?
        Sherlock’s riding crop seems like the more heavy duty option!
        Although I suppose you don’t want to make little Tom cry . . .
        Or do you? 😉

      • j.eyre says:

        Oh Amelia… dime-store poetry make Tommyanna cry. The fly-swatter makes him beg.

        I like the net, though. We haven’t used that on Tommyanna yet.

      • T.Fanty says:

        TommyAnne crying can really spoil a moment. Especially when he has the ball gag in his mouth and is just looking at me with those big sad eyes and emoting….

        The Sherlock whip is for Cumby. He won’t crumple like a cheap umbrella when I use a little force.

        ETA: I don’t think the net is a great idea for TommyAnne. Those long little dragonfly limbs of his will just get all tangled in the holes and I’ll have to cut him out.

      • T.Fanty says:

        By the way, Miss Jane – considering the way this convo is going, I would like to ask if I may borrow your couch.

      • Amelia says:

        Do you think if you told him to get into character as Loki he’d be able to take it a little more?
        Hmm, maybe he deserves a little reward. He’s been off Twitter for a while and I haven’t seen a random quote from lately.
        Your training must be working.

      • Amelia says:

        From *him* lately.

      • T.Fanty says:

        Yes, but then I would be nervous about losing my footing and accidentally impaling myself on those horns. And not in a good way.

      • Lucrezia says:

        Pad the horns.

        I think he’d look adorable with a little pom-pom stuck to the tip of each horn. Kind of like a jester’s cap.

      • T.Fanty says:

        Good thinking. You think we could getbattery-operated, vibrating Pom poms online?

      • Lucrezia says:

        Of course you can. I was imagining actual knitted (non vibrating) pom-poms though. My concern here is that if you go the a French tickler route, you’re probably going to have to put up with Loki/Hiddles practicing his French on you.

      • T.Fanty says:

        Begging for mercy is much the same in any language (although kind of fun in Latin). No, it’s when the verse comes rolling out that I need to pop in the gag.

      • j.eyre says:

        So very sorry – those pesky offspring demand SO much attention in the morning… and, of course, the knitting. I have the horn pads done for the Loki fantasy but I am a bit unclear – are we taking the fly-swatter to Loki, because that wouldn’t even provide sport for him. If you do intend to dive into Tommyanna’s dress-up closet – please hose him down and have Crumpets buff him before you send him back upstairs – I prefer a quivering Tommyanna who breaks out the Loki eyes from beneath those blond curls.

        @Fanty – darling, the couch is available but who is Tommyanna bringing besides you? You know the couch has a two man minimum… not your precious Cumby, is it?

      • T.Fanty says:

        Cumby and TommyAnnE? What’s not to love about that combo? Everytime Cumby rolls his eyes and tells me that he doesn’t think I’m trying hard enough, TommyAnnE will assure me that I am, in fact a Dragonfly Goddess and the best he could possibly ever imagine having. When we’re done, we’ll all put on cardigans, drink whiskey and talk about Shakespeare. As long as they don’t make me listen to Sigeur Ros while we’re on the couch, I can’t see a downside to the arrangement at all.

        Although, I might need a wee wee pad put down for the hedgehogs. The dragonflies make them anxious.

      • Crumpets and Crotchshots says:

        Make him cry, girls. He’s been moping all morning over the attention Cumby is getting.

      • j.eyre says:

        True, true – they would provide a fairly good Yin/Yang for the couch. Alright, I suppose I should keep the pianist in the music room working on his Opus until you are finished? Wouldn’t want another tea splashing incident, would we?

        And, as it bears repeating – Siguer Ros is not allowed anywhere on Thornfield land. The only thing I want Tommyanna proclaiming as epic is what I did with him this morning after breakfast.

        Crumpets – poor thing. It’s hard to watch Cumby chatting with Dave and all the cool kids.

        Speaking of Dave – when are otters going to come into play for the Cumber Collective? I love those unpredictable hedgehogs but I cannot believe I was unaware of the otter connection before now.

        Mr. Rochester is taking me to see Iron Man in a few so play on and keep the boys company until I get back. Oh, and when CHarms shows up, sit in on the bench on the front foyer – the uncomfortable one – until I return. I do not care for tardiness. And if that twit Grace Poole tries to slip him some scones (or her tongue) tell her she will answer to me.

      • T.Fanty says:

        @Crumpets:

        I don’t like making him cry – that’s his default setting. I want sassy Hiddles back, so I’m thinking I’ll let him be in charge of the paddle.

        And, Miss Eyre: after your Remora comment, I’m thinking about inviting Chemboy into the drawing room today. TommyAnnE is already polishing his helmet in anticipation.

      • j.eyre says:

        Enjoy your little Asguardian tryst my dear – lord knows they are to be enjoyed in very many ways…

        Get Guy Pearce to Thornfield immediately and do not disturb me until Sunday!

  6. Cher says:

    If the question had been Cumby or a cardboard cut out of a goat, I would pick the cardboard cutout of a goat. Arrogant, over-exposed, over-rated, fug ……………………

  7. Jenna says:

    Neither; So sad I don’t have any nice new pics of my hubby in a suit & tie since he didn’t attend this premiere. *pouts* 🙁

  8. V4Real says:

    I’m going to say neither. I won’t choose Chris because he doesn’t do anything for me.

    I want choose Cumby out of fear of Eve shanking me in my sleep.
    Just the mention of Cumby’s name by another woman and I swear I can see that woman’s bitch face breaching through the internet. I don’t want none of that; so I steer clear of Cumby.

  9. madpoe says:

    I don’t get the Cumby obession.

    He looks like a alien grasshopper.

    I just want Chris Pine’s beard all over.

    • Steph S. says:

      Alien grasshopper! Exactly! I don’t get the obsession with him…I’ve heard people say how sexy his voice is, but I saw him on Letterman last night and I still don’t get it. He and Pine aren’t even in the same league. (In my opinion.)

  10. GeeMoney says:

    Chris Pine is looking really good in that suit, but my heart belongs to Cumberbatch.

    I’d take Ben any day of the week.

  11. Audrey says:

    What bulge?

    I’ll take pine.

  12. j.eyre says:

    I am contractually obligated to keep my hands off the Batch so I’ll take Pine in this round. And happily so, based on these photos. I think with that whole banker look, we’ll roll out the naughty secretary fantasy “pardon me, Miss Eyre, but it seems you’ve made an error in the ledger. You’ll need to be punished for that.”

    • T.Fanty says:

      It’s appreciated. And in return, I’ll take Toby Stephens Rochester off your hands the next time you “entertain.”

      • j.eyre says:

        Oh – I think Remora already relieved me of Toby – shall I see if she is finished with him yet?

      • T.Fanty says:

        Oh my god. I can’t believe you just went there. I’m stealing your Pomeranian chariot and going to get him back. I might also have to punish you for that:

        http://magazine.foxnews.com/sites/magazine.foxnews.com/files/styles/700_image/public/Hemsworth.jpg

        Be careful, or I might also have to start withholding Hiddles’ privileges.

      • j.eyre says:

        Consider me punished. That has to be the dumbest face I have ever seen him make. I can only hope he is thinking “well, if I am stupid enough to have married it, I might as well look the part.”

        I wonder what face Toby made? Or do you think he was reviewing lines as she… padded her resume?

      • T.Fanty says:

        I can only assume that he was blind and lame at the time, therefore too weak to stand his ground. My Toby is *so* above her. You know, when he isn’t above me.

        Side note: Cumby said in an interview today that his parents nearly named him Toby. I could have had my own little gaggle of Tobies.

  13. heatheradair says:

    It’s not the crypt-keeper-pale and dyed hair thing that bothers me, it’s that I wish they’d tint his eyebrows just a bit to match his hair — so that he’d look less Adams Family and more……something less spooky.

    But then, ‘Batch is a hard sell for me, either way (since I’m a sucker for the golden-skinned, bald, stocky guys).

    • EscapedConvent says:

      Yes! The eyebrows! The pale eyebrows with the very dark hair have been bothering me too. It’s odd that they wouldn’t fix that because it is such an easy fix. You don’t have to color them or do anything permanent.

      I volunteer to pop over to the Sherlock set with my Universal Taupe brow pencil & take care of this.

  14. ks says:

    Chris Pine – this is not even a contest!

  15. MonicaQ says:

    I’m a cranky old trekkie and despise the reboot so neither. Now I’m going to go be 28 and yell at kids to get off my lawn.

  16. renata says:

    I SAW CUMBY LAST NITE!!!! I got so excited. I was leaving the house of a friend that lives on B’way in the 60’s and was walking uptown when I see this big crowd around a movie theatre. Asked one of the security guys what all the fuss was about and he told me it was the Star Trek premier. They had this plastic encasement erected around the red carpet line and you could see what was happening through these clear vinyl “windows”, and who do I see but the CUMBY no more than 6 feet away!!

    I thought he looked great in person. Much better than he appears in photos, where he always strikes me as having some sort of ‘otherworldly’ type of look where I expect him to open his shirt and find robot parts underneath 🙂 I thought he was quite striking in person. Anyway, that was my big Thursday night excitement. I knew I would wind up posting about it here today 🙂

  17. TheyPromisedMeBeer says:

    No contest here…

    Jonathan Frakes. Always and forever.

    • Lucrezia says:

      If we’re talking Next Gen, my crush was Brent Spiner (Data). I also have a thing for Spock (original and reboot). So at least I’m consistent.

    • SE says:

      I’d be happy with Pine, Cumby or a hairy Jonathan Frakes!

  18. Mia 4S says:

    Pine, repeatedly. 😉

  19. GoodCapon says:

    The beard does suit Chris. He’s still a bit of a pretty boy but at least he looks more mature. And that’s always a plus.

    Where are the other Trek actors?

  20. mercy says:

    Zach Quinto. He’s a cutie.

  21. Baskingshark says:

    The Pine. Cumberbatch needs to cut his hair.

    Incidentally, Cumby’s mom was hot and rocked her space-age catsuit and futuristic car in 1971: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_R_Sqi0a8BRc/TUUnwZnf_cI/AAAAAAAAKBc/dZFgwdzeNx4/s1600/Cars%2B%2526%2BGirls%2BVentham.jpg

  22. ya says:

    Chris pine is looking good but his suit looks like what a sleazy rich criminal defense lawyer would wear, with the three-piece pinstripes and the polka dot tie. He has been looking overstyled all the time lately.

  23. drea says:

    Funeral director Batch, but I get to restyle him first. It’s quite irritating, really, how Pine’s grown on me as well. He was actually quite fun on Graham Norton. He was a bit out of his depth at one point (trying to talk up theatre, with his 3-play resumé, in front of the Batch), but he really did look quite yummy in that suit. Just as he looks quite yummy in this one. And Ben’s funereal look throughout all of this has only made Pine look better by comparison.

    How is Ben’s agent/publicist allowing him to do the tour looking like this?

    • T.Fanty says:

      Oh, Pine talking about performing at the Geffen playhouse on GN was downright embarrassing.

      I don’t know what Cumby’s PR is thinking. They’ve styled him like crap and have attempted to suck ALL the personality out of him. It isn’t working.

      • drea says:

        I think this is where we see the Hollywood star system at work. Cumby’s generation of British actors are taking many of the plum roles because they have more interesting/less traditional “movie star” looks and, usually, better training, but Hollywood actors are the best at promotion. For them, this is half the job.

        I mean, just look at Pine. You can tell that someone has picked out his suits and made sure he’s immaculately groomed. He LOOKS every bit like the star of the movie. Whereas our Cumby looks like… that. And it kills me because we KNOW he’s capable of looking much better.

      • T.Fanty says:

        You’re absolutely right. Quirkiness isn’t a good thing for movie stars, nor is self-deprecation. And that’s what Brits do best. Watching Pine and Cumby interview in SUCH different ways on Graham Norton was really interesting. Pine was talking about the feelings he has going onstage, and the experience of theatre acting as though it were something novel, and Cumby was talking about teabagging his ex-mother in law. The mentality is so different.

      • drea says:

        Haha, I found the tea-bagging story kind of cute. I think that if you’re already a fan, the quirkiness and self-deprecation are endearing, but if you’re just getting to know who he is, it’s more “Huh?” I agree that someone must’ve told him to tone it down and it’s resulted in a lack of personality. In the words of Tony Stark, he needs to strut! Remember him on Alan Carr? Where’s that Cumby? That was a good combination of quirky, fun, and confident.

        In an ideal world, his talent would be more than enough, but if he wants to “sit at the big table” with the bona fide leading men in this one, he’s going to have to do better on the PR front. Letterman looked hardly interested, much less impressed, by Cumby’s banter, but after he saw him in the clip at the end… boom, fangirl.

      • delphi says:

        I say we self-volunteer ourselves to take over BC’s PR. You know, out of selflessness, humanity, all that kind of stuff. *eyebrow waggle*

        I’m typing up the benefit package prospectus right now.

  24. Lore says:

    Always and forever I choose my hubby Chris. He is looking fine in these pictures and the beard is sexy.

  25. LilyRose says:

    I would hit Pinto (Pines and Quinto) especially during one of their word-offs

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUWl-AE3ocU
    and
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc1uX10sRVs

    They have a friendly competition to see who has the bigger vocabulary. JJ Abrams even got in on it and had a list of words both Pines and Quinto have to work into their press junket interviews.

  26. OhMyGawh says:

    Neither. Where’s Karl Urban?

  27. Jennifer says:

    Chris Pine without a doubt is better looking that Cumberbatch!!! This was such a stupid comparison in my opinion. If you are goign to compare two men, select some very very attractive men. Ryan Reynolds or Alex Skarsgard. Denzel Washington or Idris Elba. Cumberbatch reminds me of a taller version of Don Knots!! Gross!!. Liam Hemsworth or Chris Hemsworth.

    • EscapedConvent says:

      DON KNOTTS!!! Oh my giddy Aunt! I saw a pic the other day where Cumby reminded me of both Dick Van Dyke & Fred MacMurray, but @#$!-ing *Don Knotts*!

      I have fallen onto the floor & am flailing with rage….Jesus, take the wheel.

  28. Lindsey says:

    I sweater gawd. I tried. But Cumberbatch is just not the business. Surely he’s posth with a nice accent, but that only works with my eyes closed.

    Chris Pine wins by default.

  29. Johnny K. says:

    I would bet a million that both of these dudes are gay.It is a good thing we can fantasize but come on….you girls don’t have gaydar?I am amazed that you can think womanizing playboy B.Coop is gay and yet these two don’t register at all with any of you?Especially Pine.I mean,really.Are you all blind?

    • T.Fanty says:

      Thanks for the input, Bradley. Now tootle on back to your mother’s house.

  30. Slika says:

    Pine Cumberbatch is Fug.

  31. Camille (TheOriginal) says:

    Neither of them do anything for me. But Cumberbatch has to be the worst. I read a great description of his looks the other day: he looks like an under developed fetus. Have to say I agree. He is so damn fug and such an average at best actor and I don’t get all of the squealing over his voice either (Patrick Stewart’s is far better!). Sorry I will just never, ever see his appeal. Ever. You girls can gladly have him :).

    I’d rather have Karl Urban. Unf.

  32. The Original Mia says:

    Pine! He has been looking hot as hell with that beard & his GQ suits.

    I’m not feeling whatever is going on with Cumberbatch’s hair. Makes him look like some alien.

  33. Lexi says:

    The Batch!

  34. trillian says:

    This is not even a question. I would do the male part of the Enterprise crew whatever race, but Cumberbatch creeps me out. You could tie him to me naked and nothing would happen. Except me trying to escape.

  35. blenheim says:

    That man Cumberbatch looks…bizarre.

  36. honey says:

    Pine obviously. Cumberbatch is just creepy looking.

  37. Jane says:

    On the Graham Norton show there was a little competition going on between the two guys by the host: The PINE nuts versus the Cumberb****es. I’ll be a Pine nut anyday. Cumberbathch just creeps me out.

  38. Misty says:

    Benedict one million times. collect and profoundly gifted. just watch him.