Casting rumors for ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ have been circulating ever since the project was announced, but recently word has been going around that ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ star Benedict Cumberbatch is the latest name to be attached to the project. Despite denials from Lucasfilm and Disney, new details about this news have been emerging, including who the fan favorite actor could be playing.
When this rumor first circulated, there was some speculation that the actor could have been playing a couple of the characters mentioned in the casting breakdown that was released a few months back. But according to Badass Digest, Cumberbatch is up for a huge part that would see him pop up in the new trilogy beyond J.J. Abrams’ next film. The site’s correspondent Devin Faraci even learned that the actor could be venturing into the dark side:
“I’ve heard the role he’s up for is that of a bad guy, almost certainly a Sith. And it’s a major role, one that will continue throughout the whole new trilogy. This part is why he dropped out of Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Crimson Peak‘.”
Looks like I wasn’t too far off when I said that he would make a pretty good Sith or bounty hunter. If this report ends up being true, then I guess the producers of the next adventure in a galaxy far, far away and I are on the same wavelengths. And if any of them happen to read this, I’m sure that I could be available to work on ‘Episode VIII’.
Of course, even though these details are leaking out, it’s possible that Cumberbatch is still in talks for this villainous role and it may not even come to fruition. Additionally, the actor’s reps have released a comment on these rumors to the New York Daily News reiterating that he has not been cast in the next ‘Star Wars’ film. It’s possible that it’s all misdirection, but here’s what they had to say:
“There is no truth to the rumor Benedict has been cast in ‘Star Wars’. I think the rumours are circling because J.J. and Benedict have just recently had a wonderful time working together on Star Trek .”
Until the news comes directly from the studio or from trades like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter, don’t put too much into these reports just yet. However, if this report turns out to be legit, how would you feel about Benecidt Cumberbatch playing a Sith lord? Could he be the next Darth Vader, Darth Maul, or Darth Tyranus? Sound off in the comments.
