One Reason Benicio Del Toro Wanted To Do Star Wars: Episode VIII

Because Star Wars has been around for 40 years, it’s a franchise that most movie fans have grown up with. That also goes for many of the people who make movies, as well. At the same time, Star Wars has continued to create new fans through new toys and cartoons for years. This means that there are multiple generations who can share the joy of Star Wars together. Parents can share it with their children. This is what Benicio Del Toro saw an opportunity to do when he was asked to be a part of Star Wars: Episode VIII.

Long before the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we were already hearing rumors about Star Wars: Episode VIII. Most of these revolved around actor Benicio Del Toro being part of the cast. Now, in the strangest of places, a promotional video for a series of Heineken beer ads that Del Toro will be doing, he spoke a little about why he chose to take the part. The reason is his daughter.

To do a movie in that world, the Star Wars world, is a great opportunity to enjoy with my daughter.

Part of the reason that Star Wars: The Force Awakens was such a big deal for so many fans was because of the multiple generations that were able to enjoy it. Fans that were exposed to it at the beginning when the original trilogy was released in the late 1970’s, or when the prequels came out at the turn of the century, all got to enjoy a new Star Wars story, potentially with a new generation of fan in their own children. That same feeling can be the thing that leads an actor to take a part in the story. If you thought it was cool just to see The Force Awakens, imagine how it would feel to see a family member on that screen.

While Benicio Del Toro was the actor that we knew was joining Star Wars: Episode VIII first, we still don’t know much about him. At first it seemed clear that Del Toro would be playing a new villain in the story, but more recently he’s gone back on that and said that isn’t necessarily the case. As we have almost two years before Episode VIII hits theaters, there’s still plenty of time for rumors and leaks to help paint that picture.

We’re looking forward to seeing Benicio Del Toro in Star Wars as, we’re sure, is his family. What kind of role would you like to see the actor play?

CinemaBlend’s resident theme park junkie and amateur Disney historian, Dirk began writing for CinemaBlend as a freelancer in 2015 before joining the site full-time in 2018. He has previously held positions as a Staff Writer and Games Editor, but has more recently transformed his true passion into his job as the head of the site's Theme Park section. He has previously done freelance work for various gaming and technology sites. Prior to starting his second career as a writer he worked for 12 years in sales for various companies within the consumer electronics industry. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Davis. Is an armchair Imagineer, Epcot Stan, Future Club 33 Member.