This news ought to get the collective heartbeats of two groups of fanboys pounding. That’s right, Cumberbitches and Star Wars acolytes (Jedi Knights? Warsies?) worldwide had best prepare themselves for this news. Just remember to breathe, guys. And keep in mind that, until Lucasfilm confirms or denies this, all we have to go on is an unsubstantiated internet rumor.
As we previously reported, rumors have been making their way around the web that Benedict Cumberbatch, the star of BBC’s Sherlock, may join the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. Now, Badass Digest claims to have heard that Cumberbatch is up for the major role of a Sith villain, who will menace the series’ new protagonists throughout the trilogy.
Considering that Star Trek helmer J.J. Abrams is the man behind the new Star Wars installment, it’s not totally shocking that Cumberbatch might be at the top of the director’s shortlist for the part of a villain. After all, the British thesp knocked it out of the park this past summer as the super-menacing Khan in another Abrams production, Star Trek Into Darkness.
Personally, I’d be really excited to see Cumberbatch’s take on a fearsome Sith warrior in the new Star Wars films. He proved in Star Trek Into Darkness that he is more than capable of going bad for a role, and his excellent work on Sherlock has also shown that he is capable of delivering massive amounts of charisma and intelligence. Watching Cumberbatch dispatch foes with a lightsaber as well as his trademark steely glare sounds like a blast.
What do you think of casting Cumberbatch as a bad guy for Star Wars: Episode VII, or possibly for the whole trilogy? Does the actor have what it takes to pull off what will surely be both an extremely physically and emotionally draining part? Let us know in the comments section!
