Star Wars Episode 8: Benicio del Toro confirms he’ll play villain, shooting starts March 2016

He may not be a straightforward villain

Benicio del Toro in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Generally Star Wars actors aren’t supposed to talk about the films, but Benicio del Toro does what he wants!

The actor recently confirmed rumours that he will be taking a role in the Force Awakens sequel, and now he’s served up both a production start date and basic details about his role.

“Star Wars is coming up, we will see how that turns out. I think we start shooting in March,” he told Spanish outlet rac1.org.

As for what part he’ll play, he added: “I’m like the villain. But we’ll see.”

Apparently the Spanish phrase he used, “es como el villano”, translates to “he is like the villain”, which perhaps suggests del Toro won’t be the number one antagonist, or will play a conflicted character or a hero who turns bad.

Del Toro is an interesting and exciting choice for the film, and aside from his small role in Guardians of the Galaxy usually doesn’t work in these sorts of blockbusters.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens arrives this December, while the as yet untitled eight episode is expected to hit cinemas on 26 May, 2017.