Star Wars: The Last Jedi Theory Pegs Benicio Del Toro’s Character As Ezra Bridger

Blockbuster movie fan-theories are a dime a dozen, and Star Wars fan-theories are more prevalent than most – but every once in a while, one comes along that does warrant closer inspection. Such is the case with Redditor Darth Hodor’s (what a name) well thought-out Star Wars: The Last Jedi speculation regarding Benicio Del Toro’s new character.

Ever since it was announced that Del Toro had signed on for a role in the follow-up to The Force Awakens, fans have speculated about who he might be playing, but the only thing that’s been confirmed about his mysterious character thus far is that he’s an “intergalactic villain.” However, this theory proposes that he was a hero in his younger days, and one that’ll be very familiar to fans of Disney XD’s Star Wars Rebels animated series.

Here are Hodor’s thoughts in full:

Simply put, I think Benicio Del Toro is going to be Rey’s father. … But that’s not to say Del Toro will be playing a new character. I think he’s playing an adult Ezra Bridger (from the Rebels TV show). He’d be about the right age, and there have been theories that Rebels will end with Ezra (and Kanan if he’s still alive) joining Luke’s new Jedi Academy. But then why was she left on Jakku?

The theory I’ve come up with is that Ezra fall to the dark side. He joins forces with Snoke and together they start manipulating the Jedi starting with Ben Solo. Foreseeing this, Luke hides Rey from her father, and in retaliation Ezra, through or with Kylo Ren, destroy the Jedi Academy. Luke flees and Del Toro is left without knowing where his daughter is hidden.

The Redditor then goes on to explain why he favors this theory, saying that it allows for what he calls a “double fall,” which he explains as such:

The reason I really like this theory is it allows for a “double fall” in Episode VIII. It sets up Rey’s fall to the dark side (which could be incredible if pulled off correctly) and Kylo Ren is already poised for a redemption arc of his own (a “fall” to the light). This would set up a fantastic finale between these two characters in Episode IX.

Of course, Star Wars Rebels has crossed over into the live-action universe already, with several nods and easter eggs of note to be found in Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One, so this isn’t outside the realm of possibility by any means. That said, a lot of it does come across like fan-fic – intriguing fan-fic though it may be.

What do you make of all this, though? Is there any chance that Del Toro could be playing Ezra in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, or is the above theory just wishful thinking? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the usual place!