Benicio del Toro has come out to squash rumors that claimed that he was ever cast as Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Ever since the first entry in the Star Wars prequel trilogy hit theaters in 1999, speculation regarding the Academy Award winner supposedly walking away from the project has been running wild. Nevertheless, the 58-year-old actor has finally given a definitive answer to such theories, ending the discussion once and for all.
The Phoenician Scheme’s Benicio del Toro didn’t reject Darth Maul role
In a recent interview, The Usual Suspects star was asked if he had turned down the role of Darth Maul after initially agreeing to portray the formidable Sith Lord. The veteran actor simply replied that he has no recollection of ever saying yes to such an opportunity.
In the latest episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, host Josh Horowitz posed the 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?”
The Guardians of the Galaxy star responded, “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].”
The rumor that Horowitz addressed suggested that del Toro had signed on to The Phantom Menace to play Darth Maul. However, after George Lucas revised the film’s script, the character was left with just five lines of dialogue. This prompted the actor to walk away from the project. The part subsequently went to Ray Park, who was a relatively unknown stunt double at the time. (via Screen Rant)
Nevertheless, Benicio del Toro has now debunked all such claims in his latest interview. He noted that he was never involved in the casting process for Star Wars: Episode 1. The Puerto Rican actor ultimately got to make his debut in the fan-favorite intergalactic franchise in 2017. He essayed the deceitful DJ in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on SuperHeroHype.