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Benicio Del Toro Might Be a Star Wars: Episode VIII Villain

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Benicio Del Toro. Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Benicio Del Toro, fairly fresh off his sci-fi turn as the Collector in Guardians of the Galaxy, has the option to go back to outer space, according to multiple reports. He’s been offered the top villain role in Star Wars: Episode VIII, Variety notes, and if Del Toro closes the deal, he’ll join Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac for the Rian Johnson–helmed sequel. Other details (particularly those involving the identity of the nefarious role in question) are unclear, but Joaquin Phoenix is also said to be a contender. Deadline speculates that the early news of this role could mean one of the baddies from Star Wars: The Force AwakensDomhnall Gleeson’s General Hux, Gwendolyn Christie’s Captain Phasma, Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren — gets extinguished. (This seems likely, because this is a movie. Also, feel free to play MFK with that trio if you’re so inclined because that’s a great trio.) The eighth installment is slated for May 26, 2017, and The Force comes out December 18.

Benicio Del Toro Might Be a Star Wars Villain