Benicio Del Toro may be moving from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the Star Wars universe!
Del Toro has reportedly been offered the role as the lead villain in Star Wars: Episode VIII, which is currently casting. The same role was rumored to have been previously offered to Joaquin Phoenix. It’s not currently known if Del Toro will accept the role, but Lucasfilm seems to want him for the part.
In 2001, Del Toro won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Traffic, and he is also well known for appearing in The Usual Suspects, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Snatch, Sin City, The Wolfman (pictured above), and Che. Additionally, Del Toro has made two appearances in the MCU as The Collector, most recently in Guardians of the Galaxy.
Very little is currently known about Star Wars: Episode VIII. Rian Johnson is slated to write and direct Episode VIII, and he has promised that it will use film. Newcomers to the Star Wars franchise, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, and John Boyega are all expected to come back, alongside original stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill.
But first, there are two Star Wars movies that are going to arrive in theaters before Episode VIII! Star Wars: The Force Awakens is coming out on December 18, 2015. The standalone film, Star Wars: Rogue One will follow on December 16, 2016. Star Wars: Episode VIII will finally arrive on May 26, 2017.
Star Wars fans, how do you feel about Benicio Del Toro potentially starring as the latest villain in the franchise? Ignite your lightsabers and unleash your thoughts in the comment section below!
