Casting for Star Wars: Episode VIII from Disney and Lucasfilms is already beginning. According to reports from Variety, Benicio Del Toro has been offered the role of the villain in the upcoming installment in the Star Wars franchise.

Also expected to be seen in the film are Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac, who will be seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens which will be coming to theaters this Christmas. Rian Johnson will be directing.

There is still a ways to go before a deal fully comes together, and it is not known as yet who exactly Del Toro will be playing, but insiders say that the studio is trying to find some A List talent for the role, apparently having approached Joaquin Phoenix for the part.

Star Wars: Episode VIII will make its debut on May 26th, 2017. Ram Bergman will be producing the film alongside Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy.

Del Toro was considered for the bad guy in another major franchise as well. He was considered for playing the role of Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness.

Although negotiations for that part fell through, he was recently seen playing The Collector in Guardians of the Galaxy.

He will be seen next in Lionsgate's film Sicario. He is represented by CAA and LBI Entertainment.

Del Toro also recently collected the San Sebastian Film Festival's Donostia Award for Lifetime Achievement after his role as Pablo Escobar, the notorious drug lord in Escobar: Paradise Lost.

"Well it's an honor," Del Toro said, "because it's the first time I've been given a career award..."