Star Wars Episode 8 Could Feature Benicio Del Toro as Villain - Report

Lucasfilm is in early discussions with Oscar-winning actor Benicio Del Toro to play a villain in 2017's Star Wars Episode VIII. That's according to recent reports from Hollywood news sites.

Multiple sources involved with the casting process told The Wrap that talks are still "in the very early stages," but Disney and Lucasfilm are apparently eager to sign the actor. Variety also cites sources saying Del Toro is being eyed for the role of an unspecified villain, with Joaquin Phoenix also in the running.

"Insiders say the studio was going after A-list talent for the role," Variety said.

Episode VIII is expected to start shooting next year before its release in May 2017. Rian Johnson (Looper) is directing the movie, but plot details--as you'd expect--are being kept under wraps for now.

Del Toro won an Academy Award for his performance in Steven Soderbergh's Traffic.

The next Star Wars movie is The Force Awakens, which hits theaters in December. Following that in 2016 will be Godzilla director Gareth Edwards' Rogue One, with another spinoff that explores Han Solo's origins coming in 2018.