Benicio del Toro in talks for key role in 8th “Star Wars” film

Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro is currently in negotiations to play a villain in the eighth “Star Wars” film to be produced by Lucasfilm, Variety magazine reported.

The publication says that an agreement has not yet been struck between the studio and Del Toro, and among the other actors being considered for the part is Joaquin Phoenix.

Variety says that actors Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac, who will appear this Christmas in the 7th episode of the space opera saga entitled “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” will also have roles in the eighth installment in the series.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy will produce the eighth episode of the famous saga. Rian Johnson, known for the thoughtprovoking timetravel film “Looper,” will both write and direct the movie.

Del Toro was also considered for the part of the key bad guy Khan in another big scifi movie franchise, “Star Trek Into Darkness,” but those negotiations fell through.

The actor recently appeared in “Guardians of the Galaxy.”