The forthcoming eighth installment of the Star Wars franchise is reportedly eyeing actor Benicio Del Toro for the role of the main antagonist, reports The Wrap. Toro is said to have an offer, although whether a deal can be made remains unclear.
According to the source, franchise owners Disney and Lucasfilm are ‘keen’ for the 48-year-old to join the dark side in Rian Johnson’s directorial debut in the Star Wars franchise. Del Toro, 48, an Oscar winner for his role in Traffic, was rumored to be up for the role of Khan in Star Trek into Darkness and did play the creepy Collector in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. He can be seen next in Canadian director Denis Villenueve’s crime thriller Sicario, opposite Emily Blunt.
But before it all happens, there is director J. J. Abhram’s reboot of the franchise, Star Wars: The Force Awakens which hits theaters in December. Following that in 2016 will be Godzilla director Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One, with another spinoff that explores Han Solo’s origins coming in 2018.
Star Wars: Episode VIII is due in cinemas in May 2017, and will pick up many of Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ cast. As such, the likes of John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac are expected to headline the line-up.
