The STAR WARS universe is filled with mysterious figures, and one many fans of the series are curious about is the man we've all been calling DJ (Benicio Del Toro) from THE LAST JEDI. A new addition to the series, no one really knows much about the man other than he always seems very relaxed and dressed in the space equivalent of a bathrobe. A new photo of him proves that point, but Del Toro spoke more a bit more about him, describing him as a character straight out of fine literature.
The Oscar-winning actor spoke with Empire for their special LAST JEDI issue (hitting this January), and even though he was careful not give away any special details, he did hint we could look to classic stories and songs to get a hint about what the character is like:
This character could come straight out of a Bob Dylan or Tom Waites song, or even a Dostoyevsky novel. He’s like something out of Dickens; there have been characters like him in all kinds of literature. He’s like a knife: if you grab him by the blade, he’ll cut you. If you grab him by the handle, he can be very, very useful.
DJ is the name writer/director Rian Johnson has been referring to him by, and his real name probably won’t be revealed until THE LAST JEDI. We’ve gotten the hint that he may be some sort of space-crime-underworld figure, but for what purpose we will be used is still a mystery – like his real name. He could be the guy who smuggles in all those adorable Porgs. For that, he deserves a medal.
When I think of DJ being a sort of Dickensian character, I can picture his as some kind of street-smart, back-alley, devil-may-care individual who, in this film, has many connections that the Resistance may use to get an upper hand against the First Order. Who knows? The only thing I know is that the man knows how to take it easy and kick his feet up. Hey, that's an admirable quality. Maybe get yourself a space robe and find out.