Benicio del Toro has decisively addressed persistent rumors suggesting that he was ever cast as Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Since the release of the inaugural film in the Star Wars prequel trilogy in 1999, there has been rampant speculation regarding the Academy Award winner supposedly stepping away from this significant role. Recently, the 58-year-old actor has provided a conclusive answer to these long-standing theories, effectively putting an end to the discussion surrounding this matter.
Benicio del Toro Clarifies: He Never Declined the Role of Darth Maul
In a recent interview, the acclaimed star of The Usual Suspects was questioned about whether he had turned down the iconic role of Darth Maul after once agreeing to portray this menacing Sith Lord. The seasoned actor candidly responded that he has no recollection of ever accepting such a remarkable opportunity, highlighting the confusion that often surrounds casting discussions in Hollywood.
During the latest episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, host Josh Horowitz posed an intriguing question to Benicio del Toro: “Way before Last Jedi, it’s said that you were offered, or maybe even cast as Darth Maul in the first prequel movie by [George] Lucas and then they scaled back the part you guys agreed to kind of part ways. Is there any truth to that?” This inquiry reflects the ongoing fascination with the casting choices made in the Star Wars saga.
In response, the Guardians of the Galaxy star stated, “No, I don’t remember that, but you know, I don’t remember everything. I don’t remember being cast in another Star Wars movie except for the one I was cast [in].” His reply sheds light on the complex nature of film casting and the numerous roles that actors consider throughout their careers.
The speculation raised by Horowitz suggested that del Toro had been on board for The Phantom Menace to embody Darth Maul. However, as the script underwent revisions by George Lucas, the character ended up with merely five lines of dialogue. This led to the actor’s decision to step away from the project, a move that ultimately allowed Ray Park, then an unknown stunt performer, to take on the role. This situation highlights the unpredictable dynamics of film production and casting choices. (via Screen Rant)
Despite the swirling rumors, Benicio del Toro has now definitively dismissed all such claims in his latest interview. He made it clear that he was never part of the casting process for Star Wars: Episode 1. The talented Puerto Rican actor eventually made his debut in the beloved intergalactic franchise in 2017, portraying the cunning character DJ in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which further solidified his connection to this iconic universe.
This information was originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on SuperHeroHype.
