Benicio Del Toro Eyed for Star Wars: Episode VIII Villain

Disney and Lucasfilm reportedly also met with Joaquin Phoenix regarding the role

By Zach Johnson Jul 21, 2015 11:53 AMTags
Benicio Del ToroAxelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Seeing Benicio Del Toro in a Star Wars movie would be out of this world!

According to multiple reports, the 48-year-old Puerto Rican actor is being for a role in Episode VII. The character is likely a villain.

Disney and Lucasfilm do not comment on casting negotiations.

"Discussions are still in the very early stages, but Disney and Lucasfilm are high on the Oscar-winning Traffic star," The Wrap's Jeff Sneider wrote after breaking the news Monday. Insiders told Variety that "the studio was going after A-list talent for the role" and met with Joaquin Phoenix regarding the role.

Del Toro was previously considered for a major role in another franchise: Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness. Negotiations fell through (the role went to Benedict Cumberbatch), but he appeared as The Collector in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy.

Rian Johnson is directing Star Wars Episode VIII, which is expected to start shooting in 2016. Ram Bergman is producing the film with Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy.

Star Wars Episode VIII is scheduled for a May 26, 2017 release.

Watch: Top 9 Most Evil Villains in Film

Before then, however, Disney and Lucasfilm are gearing up for the Dec. 18, 2015 release of Stars Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, starring franchise newbies John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Daisy Ridley. Veterans Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill are reprising their roles as Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, respectively, and all six actors are expected to return for the 2017 sequel. Known villains appearing in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens include Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) and Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis).

Del Toro, meanwhile, can be seen next in Lionsgate's Sicario.