According to The Wrap, Lucasfilm has made an offer to Benicio Del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy, Inherent Vice) to play the villain in Star Wars: Episode VIII, the 2017 follow-up to J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Apparently, the role was initially offered to Joaquin Phoenix (The Master), who decided to pass – much like he did when he was in talks with Marvel Studios about Doctor Strange.
As you’d expect with Star Wars, character details are being kept firmly under lock and key, but Del Toro’s character would join the likes of Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux) and Andy Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke) as the latest villains to tussle withour heroes in a galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars: Episode VIII is to be directed by Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper) and is set for release on May 26th 2017.
https://youtu.be/IWWtOQOZSTI?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published July 21, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
