Rumor: Benicio Del Toro Suspected to Join Star Wars Episode VIII’s Cast.

benicio_del_toro_1Casting rumors for Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Episode VIII are really starting to pick up, with Donnie Yen rumored to play a supporting protagonist. Now, another actor is apparently being sighted to play an antagonist for the sequel to The Force Awakens: Benicio Del Toro.

 

From TheWrap:

 

Benicio del Toro has the offer to play the villain in Star Wars: Episode VIII, multiple individuals familiar with casting process have told TheWrap. Discussions are still in the very early stages, but Disney and Lucasfilm are high on the Oscar-winning Traffic star.
 
Del Toro would be a strong fit for the sci-fi sequel, as he’s able to conjure menace on a whim. He’d also continue Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams’ diverse vision for the Star Wars universe that will be led by John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac going forward.
 
Rian Johnson is directing Star Wars: Episode VIII, which is expected to start shooting early next year in advance of a May 26, 2017 release date. Ram Bergman is producing the film with Lucasfilm’s Kathy Kennedy.

 

Del Toro’s credits include The Usual Suspects, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas, Traffic, and Guardians Of The Galaxy. While neither he nor Yen are confirmed to be attached to the movie, their potential involvement suggests that Disney is trying to attract a larger international audience for the Sequel Trilogy and beyond.

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Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

Grant Davis (Pomojema)

Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

131 thoughts on “Rumor: Benicio Del Toro Suspected to Join Star Wars Episode VIII’s Cast.

  • July 21, 2015 at 4:07 am
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    Cue Darth Plagueis theories in 3, 2, 1…

    • July 21, 2015 at 4:07 am
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      Heh, that actually came to my mind when I saw this. I have no shame in admitting that. 😛

      Though I do think he won’t just be a minor villain. The guy has a presence.

      • July 21, 2015 at 5:19 am
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        Exactly. My prediction is that Kylo Ren is one and done like Darth Maul. Benicio Del Toro will be the next villain in line. I like it!!

        • July 21, 2015 at 5:48 am
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          Del Toro was offered the role of Darth Maul, but he turned it down. The role then went to Ray Park. Looks like he has a change of heart this time.

          • July 21, 2015 at 5:51 am
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            I did not know that. Thank you!

          • July 21, 2015 at 12:56 pm
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            He probably read the script for episode I and respectfully declined.

          • July 21, 2015 at 4:18 pm
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            I believe he had the job and walked when lines were cut. I find this rumor really unlikely.

        • July 21, 2015 at 8:26 pm
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          It would be better if he played a fallen jedi, trained by skywalker himself. Del Toro is old enough he could have been Luke’s first padawan

  • July 21, 2015 at 4:11 am
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    Cartel Leader

  • July 21, 2015 at 4:17 am
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    KHANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!

    • July 21, 2015 at 4:18 am
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      He almost was Khan in STID.

      • July 21, 2015 at 4:42 am
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        I’m surprised we haven’t heard more harry potter or lord of the rings connections, knowing star wars belongs to disney now and that they are desperately trying to jump onto the franchise bandwagon.

        • July 21, 2015 at 6:15 am
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          Star Wars was a franchise long before the movies based on those properties came out.

          And no, I’m not talking about Ralph Bakshi’s LOTR.

          • July 22, 2015 at 3:45 am
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            Meesa be thinkin’ that Pajama is right, Jar Jar. Letsa not be forgettin’ da maxi-big toys dat been released for nearly forty seasonals, okie-day?

  • July 21, 2015 at 4:24 am
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    Gabriel Byrne would be great.,

    • July 21, 2015 at 4:27 am
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      Ditto Christopher Walken

    • July 21, 2015 at 4:41 am
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      Wasn’t he rumored for General Grievous once upon a time?

      • July 21, 2015 at 4:58 am
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        I want to say Byrne and Walken were both rumored for Dooku…Byrne heavily so.

      • July 21, 2015 at 11:24 am
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        Gary Oldman

        • July 21, 2015 at 6:53 pm
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          yes. exactly what i was thinking. gary oldman could do a way better job. i could see tom hardy in the star wars universe as a sith villian

    • July 21, 2015 at 5:46 am
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      Haha! I don’t know which is better: if you are referencing an ancient rumor, or you genuinely came up with that. He was a big fan casting/rumor for Episode I-III. It turned into a running joke.

    • July 21, 2015 at 8:30 am
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      What is it with Gabriel Bryne and Star Wars rumours? Can remember before Episode II came out, loads of people were saying “He’s playing the younger Tarkin! Mark my words!”, then Episode II came and went, and then it was “He’ll definitely be in Episode III! Mark my words!”, now for Episode VII?

      • July 21, 2015 at 2:35 pm
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        Well in the case of Episode II Byrne was “contacted” about a role early on, at least according to Byrne.

        • July 21, 2015 at 7:25 pm
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          I wonder if it was for Dooku? He was younger and blue in a lot of the concept art.

          • July 21, 2015 at 9:57 pm
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            That’s the story, but I don’t know how true it is…Byrne was the favorite to play Dooku until it became apparent that Christopher Lee (Lucas’ favorite) who was thought to be unavailable was in fact willing to take the part.

  • July 21, 2015 at 4:35 am
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    Del Toro is a fantastic actor. This is good news.

    • July 21, 2015 at 4:43 am
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      actually it’s a rumor.

      • July 21, 2015 at 4:52 am
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        Point taken.

    • July 21, 2015 at 5:51 am
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      He’s too good for Star Wars.

      • July 21, 2015 at 6:19 am
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        You must have no life.

      • July 21, 2015 at 11:03 am
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        No he’s got a point.
        Star Wars was always about young [cheap] unknowns.
        Making the few GOOD actors stand out all the more.
        A New Hope had Peter Cushing and Alec Guinness, both well respected actors [I assume, i didn’t bother googling], but they come across as well-respected.
        My point is, high-end actors should be carefully rationed out to maintain the delicate balance between “awesome stupid” and “boring stupid”.
        If you get too many GOOD actors in, then everything else looks too dumb in comparison, and the whole thing falls apart.

        Yes, this IS rocket science.

        That said, Del Toro should do fine, provided he’s given a real proper role to fill. Or they should squander his talents on lines like “only the master of evil, darth…” either one would work. The point is, they need to do SOMETHING, good or stupid, with him.

        • July 23, 2015 at 10:34 pm
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          Sir Alec Guinness won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1957 for “Bridge over the River Kwai.” He was appointed CBE in 1955, was knighted four years later. The man won an Oscar and been made a peer by Her Majesty Elizabeth II two decades before he played Master Kenobi. He wasn’t “respected.” He was a legend before ANH.
          He received the lifetime achievement Oscar three years after ANH, but I think he would have gotten it anyway in 1980, 1982 or 1983 or whatever. Imagine Jack Nicholson or Robert DiNero or Al Pacino playing Morpheus. Jeff Bridges in Iron Man is the best real comparison, but that movie had lots of stars. Cushing was like James Cromwell, a veteran A-list of the B-listers, if you get what I mean. Daisy Ridley and john Boyega are pretty close to Hamill and Fisher in 1977. Oscar Isaac and Gleeson are more famous than Ford was in 1977, but they can’t carry Ford’s jock. Driver is just creepy. Boyega will become a big star but has a ceiling on his possible stardom due to his race. Only Will Smith and Eddie Murphy had big time runs but there’s 10 Mel Gibsons for every Will Smith. I can’t get a read on Ridley because all you see is her flashing those pricey veneers on set, breaking character and laughing basically. Apparently she can act. But Abrams sure won’t prove it until we all pay lots of money between now and Christmas/Hanukkah.

      • July 21, 2015 at 11:44 am
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        Shut up.

  • July 21, 2015 at 4:36 am
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    I think the urban underworld is Johnson’s strong suite and this casting choice would seem aligned with that. If so that’s a good thing because urban settings haven’t yet been explored in OT cinematic style so it would be fresh. I imagine his character as a tall alien who’s so wirey that he’s almost skeletal and looks like he’s covered in black tar, a really menacing and seedy dude whose presence makes you halucinate and whose face is shaped like the skull of a cat.

    • July 21, 2015 at 5:54 am
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      …also he has really sharp clawed slender fingers and… Wait a minute. “Del Toro SUSPECTED to join episode VIII cast”. That’s a reference to The Usual Suspects isn’t it? Love it.

  • July 21, 2015 at 4:40 am
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    Benicio is awesome but am I the only one who thinks he might be a bit too high profile for Star Wars? Granted we’ve had Samuel L. Jackson and Liam Neeson and Christopher Lee and… okay, I guess I defeated myself?

    • July 21, 2015 at 5:21 am
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      Hahaha. Yep. He takes over as the main apprentice after Kylo is killed by Rey and Finn….

    • July 21, 2015 at 5:52 am
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      No. I think he’s too good for this space opera.

      • July 21, 2015 at 6:55 am
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        He was in Gardians of the Galaxy that was a space opera. I frankly don’t really understand how you got onto a Star Wars site if you think people are too talented for it.

    • July 21, 2015 at 11:06 am
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      The problem with Samuel L, Jackson was that he played the most boring person there.

      And to think what his role COULD HAVE BEEN.

      “What does Master Yoda LOOK like?”

      Bandit: “h- he’s small, and- green-”

      “DOES HE LOOK LIKE A BITCH?!”

  • July 21, 2015 at 4:40 am
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    Casting a non-white actor as lead villian is the only thing more outdated than practical effects.

    • July 21, 2015 at 4:42 am
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      I’d agree if this were 3 years ago and all of the leads were white EXCEPT the villain, but since Star Wars is showing some progress on that front, I’m just happy to see non-white actors in Star Wars, period.

      • July 21, 2015 at 4:47 am
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        I’d love to agree with you, knowing that Rey and Finn are both non-white, but I can’t help but remain suspicious of Disney’s decisions. Because let’s face it, Disney cast four women in VII, and out of these four, one will only have a small cameo part (Fisher) one is covered in CGI makeup (N’yongo) and one is covered completely from head to foot so she can’t even be seen. (Christie.)

        • July 21, 2015 at 5:11 am
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          Uh, because women are only relevant in a movie role when they can be seen? Good try, buddy, but you failed feminism.

        • July 21, 2015 at 5:21 am
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          Since when Daisy Ridley is not white? She’s white english.

          • July 21, 2015 at 5:34 am
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            Probably meant Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac is Latino).

          • July 21, 2015 at 7:59 am
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            The only thing “white” to these dopes is a white male. The most hated, despicable of all creatures. Lol.

        • July 21, 2015 at 5:23 am
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          Uhhh, not that it matters, but Rey is white and Leia will have more than a cameo part.

        • July 21, 2015 at 5:37 am
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          Can people not be satisfied?! But I suppose even serious issues can be addressed by irrational people. Sure, Carrie Fisher supposedly has limited screen time, but she is the LEADER of the republic/resistance. While our verified information regarding this movie is limited, we can also safely assume MVS and Mark Hamil have minor roles, and they are male. Andy Serkis and Adam Driver, as are countless other male actors, have their faces concealed. And we don’t know at this point how much GC has her face revealed because we have seen limited shots of her, but she is also a highly skilled and high ranking military officer. And perhaps they simply thought Lupita was simply right for the role, of which she is an authority figure. And being a star wars movie, the likely hood your face will be covered is incredibly high. Then let’s not forget that the three new antagonists are either non-white or female. You people are so obsessed with race and gender that you can’t address the issue rationally. No wonder race relations and equality are worsening and not improving.

          • July 21, 2015 at 10:38 am
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            ^ Omg this comment *praising*

          • July 21, 2015 at 11:22 pm
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            “You people are so obsessed with race and gender that you can’t address the issue rationally. No wonder race relations and equality are worsening and not improving.”

            People like you, who conveniently lump us all into one group, aren’t helping matters. I, for one, am very excited to see casting opportunities being made for women and people of color.

          • July 22, 2015 at 4:40 am
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            Your statement literally makes no sense at all. Those with a counter productive and counter intuitive ideology regarding race and equality lump themselves into a single group with no help from me. So if you are excited for the diversity in Star Wars and are not continuing to complain until all white males are deported to their own remote island, then you have not lumped yourself into the group I mentioned.

          • July 22, 2015 at 5:16 am
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            Not to mention that you shamed me for lumping you into a group that I did not do, all the while by your own philosophy you lumped me into a group.

        • July 21, 2015 at 8:00 pm
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          It’s sad how divided you all have let yourselves become. It’s like a cocktail fight of one race/gender group against another and you know that somewhere the clever reactionary who rigged your devicive version of progressivism is laughing at how we have ignored life-or-death matters of universal concearn like the environment and military imperialism.

          • July 21, 2015 at 11:29 pm
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            I’m for diverse unification, not trying to get special favors for any one race or gender. All groups have a place amongst the stars.

          • July 22, 2015 at 4:00 am
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            Jan, you are correct. The trick is how to get everyone see how easy it is for the few to control the many.

    • July 21, 2015 at 5:09 am
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      I honestly think they don’t cast enough trolls in villian roles, you’d be a good candidate.

    • July 21, 2015 at 11:11 am
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      That and the alternative: White British Man *shudder* terrifying.

      Just the other day, I was watching “Speed”, [it was on TV, for free, i was bored], and it struck me how unusual it was that the villain was an actual American.

      But somehow, Dennis Hopper’s take on a movie villain sort of worked in a way.
      Sure he wasn’t machevelian or over-the-top, he was just, a normal guy, sitting at his desk with a detonator in his hand, drinking a cup of evil coffee, making comments at the news reporter on the TV. It was very believable.

      But then, you got Jeremy Irons as a German guy in Die Hard 3, man, Jeremy was awesome in that role, ugh, I can’t choose.

      Picking your favorite villain is hard.

    • July 21, 2015 at 11:14 am
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      How is he “non-white”? Is this because of that silly American thing where they divided the world into “Blacks”, “Whites” and “Hispanics”? By the way, what do you Americans call a Spanish person (born in Spain of Spanish blood)? Hispanic? Because Spanish people are 100% Caucasian, thus the same “race” as a person of English blood, for example. “del Toro” is Puertorican and his features are Caucasian so I don’t know why he would be considered “non-white”…

      • July 21, 2015 at 2:49 pm
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        I’m an American and I know when I have to fill out a document that includes my ethnicity, I have to select the option “White – Non-Hispanic”. I would consider Del Toro “white hispanic”. But that stuff is subjective. In America, as well as other places, we are a hodge podge of ethnic backgrounds. I consider myself white but how white am I really? My great-great grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee Indian, yet I am as white as paper. People need to get beyond the race debate. We are the human race. I just want the right people in the right roles for these films. That’s all that matters. I love Del Toro, and I think he’d be great in Star Wars.

        • July 22, 2015 at 12:35 am
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          Hard Case, very well said. You hit the nail on the head, in my opinion!

    • July 21, 2015 at 12:46 pm
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      Benicio Del Toro is not white? He is clearly caucasian. A Latin American with Spanish ancestry. I can understand that people from the United States consider Latin Americans with a African or Native American background as ‘non-white’.

      Like with Oscar Isaac: are people in the United States with Spanish ancestry considered to be ‘non-white’ in the United States, but people with Italian ancestry als ‘white’? Looking from a European perspective, that would be very strange. Although, a lot of Northern European people consider Morrocan and Turkish peope to be ‘black’, and Italian, Spanish and Greek people to be ‘white’. Strange, because they largely look the same: as mostly dark-haired people with brown eyes form the Mediteranian region.

      Mentioning ‘race’ only leads to confusing discussions. Like modern radical feminists who consider Islam as a ‘non-white religion’, while most muslims on this planet are causasian/white (Arabs, Berbers, Turks, Iranians, Kurds, Pakistani, Indians).

      • July 21, 2015 at 4:09 pm
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        I don’t give a sh*t, honestly.

        He’s f*cking human. In Star Wars we care about species, not races.

        He’s not a damn Rodian, he’s human. Lando and Poe are humans too. Full stop.

      • July 22, 2015 at 1:20 am
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        Because americans are racist. To them being slightly different, no matter if you’re white like paper, you are non-white. Any logic there? I call it racism.

  • July 21, 2015 at 4:48 am
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    Bobby Campo should join a SW cast as well.
    Anthology or not, Jedi or not, all the same.

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:07 am
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    I just think about the Usual Suspects lineup when I see Benicio name….and by lineup I mean the actors in THAT scene where they are all lined up and asked to recite THAT line.lol

    • July 21, 2015 at 9:55 pm
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      In English please

      ‘Cuse me?

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:24 am
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    Anything this guy can do Javier Bardem can do better.

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:25 am
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    Yuuzhan Vong leader.

    • July 21, 2015 at 7:16 am
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      No. Comments like this are why I’ve created a drought in California.

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:32 am
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    Is he continue to appear as the collector in GurdI
    an of Gallaxy 2? If so , this won’t be true.

    • July 21, 2015 at 6:17 am
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      Andy Serkis is going to show up in Black Panther and (presumably) the other two Sequel Trilogy films. If they schedule everything just right, it should be a non-issue.

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:36 am
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    more undiscovered talent please…

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:36 am
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    I’d love to see him as a cross of a Tarkin and Thrawn type character

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:37 am
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    The fact they even say “the villain” instead of just “a villain” leaves me to believe we don’t know very much about this tidbit yet.

    We don’t even really know fully who Andy Serkis is playing yet in VII.

    Also I think it would be cooler if del Toro was a hero, but that’s just me.

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:44 am
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    Del Toro was offered the role of Darth Maul, but he turned it down. The role then went to Ray Park. Looks like he has a change of heart this time.

    • July 21, 2015 at 5:54 am
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      He only declined/left the part because Maul had few lines. I’m sure this character would have more lines than Maul or they wouldn’t want someone like del Toro.

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:53 am
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    He Will be a great LOBOT.

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:55 am
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    Del Toro wanted Darth Maul to have more screen time, That is why he turned it down.

    But that is just arumor as well

  • July 21, 2015 at 6:36 am
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    THEORY: Ezra Bridger.

    Or maybe Ahsoka!

  • July 21, 2015 at 6:42 am
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    Benicio del toro is a great actor. See Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas if you have any doubts.

  • July 21, 2015 at 7:01 am
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    This could set up the Guardians of the Galaxy crossover. Benicio can reprise his role as The Collector in Episode VIII. It might sound far-fetched to some people, but it actually can open the door to the realm of possibility.

    • July 21, 2015 at 6:51 pm
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      Shut up and never speak of this again.

      • July 22, 2015 at 2:48 am
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        Why so serious?

  • July 21, 2015 at 8:51 am
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    I was hoping we wouldn’t get a villain of the week in the new films but if this is true it may be what we’re getting.

    Guess I’ll have to wait and see how TFA pans out, I’m sure it’ll make sense.

    Del Toro would be awesome though.

    • July 21, 2015 at 8:57 am
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      Maybe it’ll be the best of both worlds where Kylo sticks around for the entire ST while some of the other villains come and go.

      Maybe additional villains in VIII and IX means we’ll see an emerging Sith Order to rival the Jedi Order.

      • July 21, 2015 at 3:11 pm
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        Would be interesting perhaps to see Sith competing with one another as well to see who rules the roost, and possibly could help bring about the scenario where Kylo comes back to the good side to defeat a larger evil… who knows. I trust in the story group to have come up with something cool and original. I think anyone with sense was disappointed that Darth Maul (and Qui Gon) were killed off in Ep1, while we got pretty lame Count Dooku as his replacement

        • July 21, 2015 at 4:21 pm
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          “I think anyone with sense was disappointed that Darth Maul (and Qui Gon) were killed off in Ep1, while we got pretty lame Count Dooku as his replacement”

          That’s just your opinion. In any case, Darth Maul served his purpose for the story being told in the movies and that was fine (there was a much larger narrative being told and Maul was only needed for one movie; if you want more of him, check out The Clone Wars and his comic “Son of Dathomir”).

          • July 21, 2015 at 7:27 pm
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            And your opinion is in the minority. Most were disappointed Maul died and were more disappointed after seeing Dooku.

        • July 21, 2015 at 11:38 pm
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          “…and possibly could help bring about the scenario where Kylo comes back to the good side to defeat a larger evil… who knows.”

          It’s too much like Vader.

  • July 21, 2015 at 9:18 am
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    Yes please. He’s a fantastic actor. I could see him as a high-ranking First Order type, perhaps replacing General Hux if he bites the dust in TFA.

  • July 21, 2015 at 9:59 am
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    Poe’s dad?

  • July 21, 2015 at 10:01 am
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    MVS is the big bad of the next 3 films…don’t believe everything that is out there

    Serkis and now Benicio are just the Villain of the week which we’ll also have in episode 9

    You have all fallen for it..Makingstarwars is just an outlet for disinformation.. the best lies are told with a smidgen of truth ..it’s very well orchestrated

  • July 21, 2015 at 10:22 am
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    While Del Toro might very well be sought for a role, it’s doubtful that anyone who is not in charge of said production has any idea what they are casting for.

    And at any rate, I’d bet all my money that the main villains of episode 8 have already been cast and are the same villains.

    Maybe there’ll be room for one more, but I’d say it’s extremely doubtful at best that they’re going to go the prequel route and introduce a new villain no one really cares about just to sell more action figures.

    • July 21, 2015 at 4:22 pm
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      *cough cough* The Clone Wars and Son of Dathomir comic *cough cough*

  • July 21, 2015 at 11:03 am
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    Assuming Kylo Ren and Phasma at lesat returning for 8,
    I imagin Snoke who may be Plaguise could have enough authority and power to break the rule of the two and establish new Sith order. Phasma could become female Sith in episode 8.

    • July 21, 2015 at 3:17 pm
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      Considering we potentially have two new Jedi in TFA, Finn and Rey, it’s actually quite promising we could have a climax of the trilogy whereby a Jedi Order face up against a Sith order. Could be tasty!

  • July 21, 2015 at 11:13 am
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    I know this sounds strange, but he would make an awesome Kyle Katarn.

  • July 21, 2015 at 12:45 pm
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    I find this rumour quite surprising – “playing The Villain” – I just assumed Kylo Ren would be the main bad guy for all 3 movies – I think most people believe him to be Han`s son,Rey`s brother from all the rumours we`ve heard,so it wouldn`t make any sense to kill him off in TFA (plus JJ is following the lead of the OT where there was basically one lead villain for all 3 movies).

    • July 21, 2015 at 4:41 pm
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      Main thought on this, the rule of 2 is likely long gone. With the title being The Force Awakens, it is possible more and more people become force sensitive. Kylo even though he looks pretty bad ass with that mask and all, he doesn’t give me that Darth Vader like bad assery. If any sith character makes it through all three it would likely be Andy Serkis’ character Snoke.

  • July 21, 2015 at 12:50 pm
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    We are under the 150 day mark! Now it feels we begin sliding faster to the premiere. Once the crowd hold their breath when the blue words appear on the screen, right then and there i will feel like the luckiest person in the entire universe. A pure natural high, i am so exited… Thank you george lucas, thank you for creating this all!

  • July 21, 2015 at 12:52 pm
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    I don’t like it. He’s to much of a familiar face to fit into the Star Wars universe.

    • July 21, 2015 at 11:42 pm
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      Use your imagination.

  • July 21, 2015 at 2:54 pm
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    Remenbering Kennedy and Lucas had a meeting with Daniel Day Luice years ago?
    It seems they had a big name actor for ST in the first place.

  • July 21, 2015 at 3:03 pm
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    Weird. I really hope Kylo Ren and his master, I presume to be Serkis’ character are the main villains for the entire trilogy, so it’s just odd hearing about this. Maybe there will be more than two Sith, which if done right could be cool…

    Hmm

  • July 21, 2015 at 3:10 pm
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    If true this is concerning.. I was expecting Snoke to be the main baddie throughout the trilogy. I’m still convinced he’s Plagueis, but perhaps that will now fall to Del Toro? As for MVS playing a baddie for the duration of the trilogy, I just don’t see them casting some one his age for that length of time, spanning 6 years of filming…

  • July 21, 2015 at 3:38 pm
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    I don’t like the sound of this.
    Del Toro is an amazing actor. What I don’t like is the villains being short lived, this is a real concern as it made I, II, & III a little pants in my opinion.
    What made star wars awesome was living with the villains throughout the IV, V & VI. To keep killing off a villain just to bring another seems a bad way to go. Lets keep ‘Snoke’ (if that is in fact his real name) and Kylo Ren as main protagonists. I thought the whole point of young blood was to take the franchise onwards aside from killing a young Kylo Ren off!

    But I may be way off the mark, I guess we will find out in December!!
    How many sleeps is that???

  • July 21, 2015 at 4:14 pm
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    I think there is room for Snoke, Kylo Ren, and another villain too. Could be the leader of the Black Sun or some other criminal organization, or possibly a bounty hunter sent to track down Finn and Rey. Wasn’t Boba Fett a great addition to the villains in ESB?

    • July 21, 2015 at 11:48 pm
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      del Toro as a bounty hunter sounds sweet.

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:15 pm
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    Exactly, keep the protagonis alive and in each movie have a side villian nit in the sith realm, like tarkin, boba fett and jabba.

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:22 pm
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    He is a great actor but i think he doesn’t fit in SW.
    But hey, normally we can’t complain about acting choices. Sometimes you think there are good choices and then turns out in a nightmare.
    We can’t give a real opinion after watching a show or a movie.
    Exemple True Detective S2. I thought Rachel and Vince were good choices and finally they are really bad in their characters.
    So, Del Toro? I don’t know. I can’t wait to see VII. Imagine the waiting for VIII. I don’t care if he is in it. I just want to see new SW movies nooow!!! This will kill me 😉

  • July 21, 2015 at 5:23 pm
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    I would be against any familiar actor for SW because it would be distracting , but Benicio is so good that he can easily penetrate into SW universe and show really terrifying presence. Still, he seems to be demanding actor, the deal can’t be reached as the case in Gary Oldman in TFA.

  • July 21, 2015 at 6:53 pm
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    I’m super excited for The Force Awakens no doubt, should be a great film (hopefully lol). But Rian Johnson helming a Star Wars movie has me really intrigued and am actually more excited to see what he can do.

  • July 21, 2015 at 6:54 pm
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    I hope whatever he plays is a secondary villain of some type. Perhaps he will take over for Phasma or be a Sith master of some kind. I really want them to develop a villain that can be there for VII, VIII, and IX. With Driver playing a Sith of some kind, I am hoping they would keep him around. We so rarely get good bad guys and when we do they are usually gone too soon. Of course if rumors of his heritage are true, he will definitely stick around.

  • July 21, 2015 at 6:55 pm
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    Unlike most rumored connections to Rebels, Del Toro is appropriately aged to play Ezra Bridger. The villain aspect is a diversion, or Ezra has turned to the dark side.

  • July 21, 2015 at 8:38 pm
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    He does not fit star wars and his presence would take many right out of the movie! i say NO-GO.

    • July 22, 2015 at 12:46 am
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      I felt the same way about Jimmy Smits at first, because I only knew him from TV roles, but I think he worked well as Bail Organa (even though it was a pretty minor role).

      Come to think of it, half of the formula is HOW the role is written- not what roles we already know the actor from. Just my 2 cents.

    • July 22, 2015 at 4:04 am
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      I remember the same being said about Sam Jackson, Liam Neeson, and Jimmy Smits. The formula seems to be young talent in the lead roles with established names in supporting roles…with some variation.

    • July 23, 2015 at 11:11 pm
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      Sheesh. It’s called “acting” for a reason. Do you only see movies that have a cast of all unknown actors? Can you watch any movie twice? When you watch say, Avengers, does it take you out of the movie that Samuel L Jackson has been in 50 other movies? What about The Dark Knight? Look! It’s the guy from 10 things I hate about you!! If they cast good actors, write the part well, and introduce a character in an organic way that fits the story, you can have any actor play any part within reason. Relax. These people are professionals, and I think you’re confusing “supporting role” and “witty cameo” with “stunt casting” or “awkward, forced cameo.” The former is Jimmy Smits in ROTS and Steve Buscemi as a waiter in Pulp Fiction, the later is Shatner on “3rd Rock” and Jean Claude Van damm on “friends”

  • July 21, 2015 at 9:56 pm
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    Oh, what a cool Sith he would be. Can almost see him shooting force lightnings with his fingers. He’d also be a cool Admiral. Wonder how he’d look like with blue skin. 😛

  • July 21, 2015 at 11:06 pm
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    A thought just came to my mind. What if the Resistance wouldn’t only have to deal with the First Order in EpVIII but also with another offshoot of the former Empire which is then of course lead by another villain?!

    Me personally would love to see Stormtroopers in the classic armour battling FO troops.

  • July 22, 2015 at 12:26 am
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    Regarding the debate about adding a new villain in Episode 8; I wanted to point out a few things that I feel are often overlooked.

    Fans sometimes carry the notion that the Prequels introduced new villains in each film while the OT did not.While this was magnified in the PT the OT actually did this as well.

    If you look at the films in the order of release each one of the sequels/prequels had a new villain upon release.

    ESB – Boba Fett, and our first glimpse of Palpy.

    ROTJ – Jabba had never been seen before in the original release.

    TPM – Maul

    AOTC – Jango and Dooku

    ROTS – Grievous

    It is also worth noting that every SW film except TESB has featured the death of a primary antagonist.

    Furthermore, the PT wasn’t alone in introducing a major antagonist and killing them in the same film, the OT did it twice (Tarkin and Jabba) while the PT did it 3 times (Maul, Jango, and Grievous).

    Just something to think about. 🙂

    • July 22, 2015 at 8:20 am
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      The main difference was that Vader was there all throughout the OT while the villain occupying his role in the PT wasn’t. Even Dooku showed up late in II and checked out WAY too early in III.

      • July 23, 2015 at 3:40 am
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        I would agree that the PT lacked a central antagonist. I wonder how it would have played had Sidious been more of a central “big bad” with less of the shadowy string pulling?

  • July 22, 2015 at 5:42 am
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    “He’d also continue Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams’ diverse vision for the Star Wars universe that will be led by John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac going forward.”

    Just can’t get past it, can we

    • July 22, 2015 at 8:25 am
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      Star Wars and Hollywood are both overwhelmingly white and male. They do not represent America or the world in 2015. Diversifying the cast with talented actors is a good thing.

  • July 22, 2015 at 6:31 am
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    As long as they use practical effects, I think episode 8 is going to be way better than 7 with Deltoro in the lead. Looking forward to episode 8 so much!

  • July 22, 2015 at 10:12 pm
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    Hmmm the characther I could see him playing the most is Thrawn . now that would be cool

    • July 23, 2015 at 4:47 pm
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      Or Kylo Ren’s father.

  • July 23, 2015 at 3:32 pm
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    SPOILER ALLERT!!!

    Title of Episode VIII revealed:

    “Star Wars Episode VIII – Fear and Loathing in Mos Eisley”. 😉

    • July 24, 2015 at 2:31 am
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      When they start tripping, the creatures at the bar begin to look human.

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