With the recent news that actor Benicio del Toro is being approached to play a villain in Star Wars: Episode VIII, we here at Dork Side of the Force have decided to speculate (quite wildly), as to what kind of villainous role that will be. Del Toro is no stranger to science-fiction roles, as his latest part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — Taneleer Tivan/The Collector — has been quite popular. The actor is also no stranger to playing the villain; most recently In 2014 he portrayed one of the worlds most infamous drug lords, Pablo Escobar.
So, if Benicio del Toro will in fact accept the role of the big bad guy in Episode VIII, then what or who will he be? Well, the first role that comes to mind, would be that of a Sith Lord. Nothing says villain in the Star Wars universe more, than a Sith. If continuity of the new trilogy is to be had, then a new Sith Lord must make his presence known. Could del Toro be a red lightsaber wielding acolyte of Supreme Leader Snoke? Maybe a new apprentice will be needed, especially if Kylo Ren is either killed (like Darth Maul in Episode I), or turned to the Light side of the Force by Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.
There is no doubt in my mind that Benicio del Toro would make the perfect Sith. Both his demeanor and voice are perfect for a follower of the Dark Side.
Next: How about a General or Moff of the First Order?
There are few men or women in the Star Wars universe that strike fear in the heart of the Republic Resistance fighters, more than the Grand Moffs of the Empire’s armada. Now, in the new trilogy, we have the Resistance instead of the Rebel Alliance, and in place of the Empire we have The First Order. Still though, as proven by Domhnall Gleeson’s character in TFA (General Hux), we know that there are still high ranking officers in the military aspect of The First Order.
Benicio del Toro would make an excellent and menacing General/Grand Moff in The First Order’s military structure. In fact, his menacing ways would be a great throwback to Grand Moff Tarkin, who was one of the only non-Force sensitive members of the Empirical military to fearlessly go toe to toe with Darth Vader.
Next: Space Pirate?
As mentioned in slide one, Benicio del Toro has expertly portrayed the Collector in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And, what would a Star Wars movie be without a major space pirate or gangster trying to foil the plot of the good guys? This may actually be the perfect choice for del Toror, who’s Collector is a bit of a space criminal who trades on the “black market” as it were.
With Lupita Nyong’o playing an alien who harbors space gangsters in The Force Awakens as Maz Kanata, it would not be a stretch to think that del Toro would take up the mantle of bad-guy smuggler, or pirate. Del Toro would be the perfect boss of his own band of pirates, menacing the galaxy and getting his hands all in the good guys’ business.
Next: Crime Lord like Jabba the Hutt?
Let’s say for instance, that there has been a huge (pardon the pun) void left in the crime syndicate by the death of Jabba the Hutt. Then let’s say that a new figure has stepped up to rule in his place, destroying the rest of the Hutts, carving out hi own place as a new Crime Lord.
Once again, Benicio del Toro would be perfect for this role. His role as Pablo Escobar alone makes him perfect for that of the leader of a new crime syndicate. Del Toro’s bad guy personas have shown a more-than-able proclivity for being unusually cruel, greedy, and power hungry. If the Hutts have indeed fallen on hard times after Luke and friends ended Jabba’s life in Return of the Jedi, perhaps it’s time to anoint a new king of the bad guys.
Next: Benicio the Bounty Hunter?
Nothing says badass more than Boba Fett. And, since the galaxy’s most feared bounty hunter is likely too old to roam the galaxy in his ship Slave 1, perhaps it’s time for a new badass bounty hunter to take his place. Del Toro has the rugged looks and the mean mugging it may take to be a bounty hunter in the Star Wars universe.
Benicio would be perfect sporting some Mandalorian armor, or even his own fabricated bounty hunter gear. I can see his ship’s hull scared and dented from many scrapes with his quarry. The inside of his ship would have trophies of his prey, much like the inside of the Predator’s ship in Predator. Skulls and pelts, armor and weapons of his fallen prey. This could really work.
So, what are your thoughts as to what kind of villain actor Benicio del Toro could be playing in Star Wars: Episode VIII? Let’s talk about it in the comments below.
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