After news surfaced of Disney and Lucasfilm narrowing down their search for the lead female role in Star Wars: Episode VIII – frontrunners include Gina Rodriguez, Orphan Black starlet Tatiana Maslany and Olivia Cooke – Benicio Del Toro has once again hinted that he will be playing the villain for Rian Johnson’s upcoming space sequel. Although this time, there’s a twist.
The fact that this tidbit comes via Del Toro’s interview with Spanish outlet Rac1.org means that much could have been lost in translation, but the actor appears to indicate that while his character is decidedly evil, he may not be the main villain in Episode VIII. Not dissimilar to Adam Driver’s role in The Force Awakens, who operates under Andy Serkis’ Supreme Leader Snoke.
Again, it’s worth taking Del Toro’s comments with a pinch of salt. We’ve long been hearing of his association with Star Wars: Episode VIII, and that his role will indeed herald from the dark side of the Force, but could the actor be working under the ruling of a more powerful Sith Lord?
“Ehhh, the thing is, they don’t let me talk too much about it. I’m like the villain. But we’ll see.”
Not exactly conclusive. Then again, Episode VIII isn’t due to hit theaters until the summer of 2017, meaning that Del Toro is most likely side-stepping a minefield of NDAs all in effort to keep his true role in the dark. But what about a potential start date for Johnson’s sci-fi adventure? Well, further in the interview, Del Toro hinted that the cameras could begin rolling as soon as March of next year.
“Star Wars is coming up, we will see how that turns out. I think we start shooting in March.”
All will be revealed soon, as Star Wars: Episode VIII makes a break for theaters on May 26, 2017.
