Dagobah Day is an opinion/news piece on all things Star Wars, which posts on the first monday of every month. Beware of spoilers for the Star Wars Saga-films.
Benicio Del Toro is one of the most talented actors out there. Del Toro is best known for starring in 21 Grams, Traffic, The Usual Suspects, and now Sicario. A couple of years ago, Del Toro apparently decided to star in more mainstream films, along came Guardians of the Galaxy, and, suddenly, Del Toro was the Collector to a whole new generation. That is about to change as he has signed on to star in Star Wars: Episode VIII. Today, on Dagobah Day, I mention some of the possible characters that he could play.
Just like when Mads Mikkelsen signed on to star in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the fact that Del Toro is joining the Star Wars universe has been met with theories that mainly state that Del Toro will obviously be playing a new antagonist, or, at the very least, a member of the First Order. While I do think that is a possibility, I would not be surprised to see him play a good guy. Del Toro has hinted that the theories may be true, but we won’t know for a while. Today, I’ve got 5 ideas for what role he could be playing in Episode VIII.
#1 – Bounty Hunter
We haven’t seen a Bounty Hunter on-screen in the sequel trilogy yet, and everyone knows they’re a huge part of the Star Wars Universe. I’m really fond of Bossk and, obviously, Boba Fett. The last time we saw Boba he fell into the Sarlacc’s mouth. We probably haven’t seen the last of Boba in the Star Wars universe, but Del Toro, obviously, cannot be playing him in Episode VIII. Daniel Logan was 13 when he played Boba Fett in Attack of the Clones, I believe, and the character would thus be much older than Luke, Han, and Leia.
He doesn’t necessarily have to be related to Boba to be a Bounty Hunter. But what if he’s Boba Fett’s son? I know, it’s a stretch. It’s been 34 years since Return of the Jedi once Episode VIII releases, and who knows – Boba might have had something going on with someone on Tatooine or something. It’s not likely that he’s a Fett, but who knows? Star Wars has always been about family.
#2 – High-Ranking Officer for the First Order
We’ve already seen General Hux in the sequel trilogy, but, obviously, he won’t be the only high-ranking officer in the First Order. Perhaps, after Starkiller explodes, the First Order was disappointed in Hux, and decided to demote him. Maybe Del Toro is Hux’s new boss. I’d like to think that Benicio Del Toro’s role is bigger than this one, but it might not be.
#3 – A New Sith / A Member of the Knights of Ren
I presume that Supreme Leader Snoke is some sort of Sith. Snoke could still be Darth Plagueis, seeing as Plagueis’s extended universe race isn’t canon – only his name and his legacy as revealed in Revenge of the Sith. What if Benicio Del Toro is a powerful Sith? What if Snoke tries to play Del Toro and Kylo Ren out against each other, to find out whether Kylo is worthy of becoming a true Sith, and Snoke’s true apprentice? I definitely think this is a possibility. I’ve also heard some people theorize that Del Toro could be a member of the Knights of Ren, while it’s definitely possible – Kylo was called the master of the Knights of Ren, and I don’t see Del Toro as one of his pupils.
#4 – Surviving Member of the New Republic
When the First Order attacked the Hosnian-system using Starkiller-base, they effectively knocked out the New Republic. But we must assume that Leia and other politicians will try to rebuild the New Republic from the ashes of the lost system. Perhaps even on Yavin IV or Coruscant. I could definitely see Benicio Del Toro as a politician in the New Republic, even though it sounds kind of boring on paper.
#5 – Kes Dameron
Okay. So, just like in Dagobah Day #8, I’ll bring out my wacky theory. My wacky theory regarding Benicio Del Toro’s character is that he’s playing Poe Dameron’s father – Kes Dameron. We’ve seen and read about Kes Dameron in Shattered Empire and a novel or two, I believe. As far as I’m aware, Kes Dameron has not died yet. Kes Dameron was a pilot as well, I believe, and would probably be affiliated with either the New Republic or the Resistance. The only problem is the age difference. I believe Oscar Isaac is 36 years old, and Benicio Del Toro is 48 years old right now. But they could make it work within the film if they really wanted it to. Right?
Dagobah Day will return on March 7th 2016.
I’m Jeffrey Rex –
I'm Jeffrey Rex 