5 Actors We Forgot Will Be In Star Wars: Episode VIII
By Elaine Tveit
3. Benicio del Toro
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 14: Benicio del Toro attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at The Royal Opera House on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Image Credit: Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
You may recognize the Puerto Rica-born actor in the photo above from any number of films: Guardians of the Galaxy, Sicario, and Escobar: Paradise Lost, to name a few. 46-year-old Benicio del Toro has had an impressive film career, but it got even more impressive when it was announced he had been cast in Episode VIII.
del Toro was long rumored to be on the cast list for Episode VIII, so it came as no surprise when it was revealed in February that he had a role in the film. As yet, there is no Lucasfilm-sanctioned word on what kind of character he will be playing. The rumor is, he is playing a new villain.
But del Toro made us question our initial speculations about his character when he told Entertainment Tonight:
"“I don’t know if he’s a villain… People are saying that, but it’s like they read a different script than I read.”"
Now, this could mean several things. It could mean del Toro is playing with us, and trying to make us think his character is not so evil, when he really is (just not from his perspective). On the other hand, his character could genuinely be a non-villain, or perhaps a gray character who can be a villain one moment and a hero the next.
del Toro added:
"“It’s nice to keep people in the dark, a little bit of mystery is good… If they want to believe it’s the villain, then good.”"
Whatever, whoever del Toro is playing in Episode VIII, he has already mastered the all too easy art of driving Star Wars fans crazy. Which, of course, makes us look forward to meeting him on-screen in December 2017 all the more.
Next: 2. Laura Dern