Benicio Darth Toro? Acclaimed actor may play main villain in ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’

A brand new Star Wars movie is coming out this year, but The Force Awakens is only the beginning. Disney and Lucasfilm are reportedly casting for the eighth film in the saga, which will be launched in 2017, and Benicio Del Toro might play the villain in the upcoming sequel.

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According to Variety, a deal hasn’t been clinched so far, but Disney and Lucasfilm looking for high-profile actors for the part. The studios have also met Joaquin Phoenix for the role.

The report doesn’t say what role Del Toro would play, but it must be a pretty important Sith Lord considering the studios are searching for A-list actors for it.

Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac are all returning to Star Wars Episode VIII after first appearing in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie.

As Variety points out, Del Toro already rejected a major bad guy role another successful sci-fi movie: The acclaimed actor was offered the role of Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness that was ultimately played by Benedict Cumberbatch.