Benicio Del Toro being eyed for Star Wars: Episode VIII villain

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

It's never too early to start talking about potential casting for a Star Wars film and while STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII is still two years away, a big name is said to up for the villain role of that film. The Wrap reports that Benicio Del Toro is currently in talks with Disney and Lucasfilm for the role of the villain in STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII. Discussions are still in the early stages but apparently both studios are keen to sign the actor for the role.

Benicio Del Toro is already a part of the Disney family, having played The Collector in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, which also shows that he's not adverse to participating in huge blockbusters. STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII would likely be a much bigger role than that of The Collector, but I think that Benicio Del Toro would be great addition to the Star Wars franchise should this news pan out. Variety reports that Disney/Lucasfilm had also met with Joaquin Phoenix for the role, which should give some indication of the A-list talent the studios are after for this role.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII, directed by Rian Johnson, should begin shooting early next year for a May 26, 2017 release.

Who do you see Del Toro as? A Sith Lord? A First Order Grand Moff? Jar Jar's illegitimate son turned bad?

Source: The Wrap, Variety

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Based in Canada, Kevin Fraser has been a news editor with JoBlo since 2015. When not writing for the site, you can find him indulging in his passion for baking and adding to his increasingly large collection of movies that he can never find the time to watch.