Moviefone Editorial

Tag: benicio-del-toro

  • Benicio Del Toro’s ‘Star Wars: Last Jedi’ Character Is a Hacker, More Details

    ABC's Coverage Of The D23 Expo 2017Benicio Del Toro’s character in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is so shady, he doesn’t even have a real name. All writer/director Rian Johnson has said about him is that “there’s a reason why we call him DJ.”

    The official description of the character reads: “DJ is an enigmatic figure whose tattered, threadbare clothes and lackadaisical attitude conceal a sharp mind and expert skills.” And from tidbits released so far, we know that DJ is involved in a storyline in which Finn (John Boyega) and Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) journey to the casino city Canto Bight.

    Now, more details about DJ are coming out in a new report by Entertainment Weekly. DJ is, in fact, a “slicer,” or hacker.

    “We just need a codebreaker and he’s the best in the galaxy,” Boyega said. “Unfortunately, he’s very dodgy and only in it for financial gain. He doesn’t fight for any side.”

    Tran noted that with DJ, expect the unexpected. “When I was onset with that character, I felt like there was a tiger in the room, and I always had to be watching,” she said. “Like an animal, at any moment he could do something, and I didn’t know what.”

    “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” opens in theaters

  • Benicio Del Toro Is Out of ‘The Predator,’ ‘Logan’ Villain May Replace

    EE British Academy Film Awards - Red Carpet ArrivalsBad news for Benicio Del Toro fans may be good news for Boyd Holbrook. Del Toro was negotiating to play the lead in Shane Black’s “The Predator” reboot, but he is now out. The scoop comes from The Hollywood Reporter, which added that Holbrook is Fox’s choice for the new lead.

    Holbrook is not exactly a household name at this point, but he may be on your radar as the new villain in “Logan,” the third Wolverine solo movie. He’s also known from “Narcos,” and maybe “Gone Girl” and “Morgan,” to some extent. THR said Fox is “planning on beefing up the supporting cast” to compensate for the loss of an anchor like Del Toro.

    Why is Del Toro out? The studio had no comment, but THR noted that his schedule was a challenge from the beginning, and it’s implied that they just couldn’t make it work — even after Fox pushed back “The Predator” start date to February to make room for the actor’s other projects. Sources told the site scheduling issues creeped up again when Del Toro’s other movies (including the sequel to “Sicario” and “Star Wars: Episode VIII”) had their own scheduling changes.

    The original 1987 “Predator,” directed by John McTiernan, starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as a soldier hired by the U.S. government to rescue a group of politicians trapped in Guatemala, only to be hunted by the stealthy title character itself. So “The Predator,” scheduled for 2018, was aiming for its own Ahhnold-level action star. Maybe it will help boost Holbrook into the next level of stardom. Unless he drops out from too many other projects, too.

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  • The ‘Predator’ Reboot Could Star Benicio del Toro

    US-OSCARS-AFTERPARTYBenicio del Toro has multiple big-franchise film credits to his name already, and he may be about to add another.

    The actor is in early talks to join the case of “The Predator,” reports Deadline. Due out in 2018, the 20th Century Fox film is a reboot of the sci-fi horror film series that launched in 1987. With Shane Black directing and Fred Dekker penning the script, the movie will reimagine the extraterrestrial-filled franchise.

    If del Toro signs on, “The Predator” will be just one of multiple familiar projects moviegoers can expect to see him in over the coming years. The actor is set to appear in “Soldado,” the sequel to the 2015 crime-thriller drama “Sicario,” as well as the sure-to-be massive “Star Wars: Episode VIII.” Having played a Marvel character, he could also pop up in future MCU films.

    Del Toro has definitely proven himself in action-heavy flicks in the past, so he seems like a perfect fit for “The Predator.” It remains to be seen whether a deal will be reached, but here’s hoping.

    [via: Deadline]

  • Academy Announces Diverse First Slate of Oscars Presenters, Performers

    Pharrell Visits "The Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show"It looks like the Academy is trying to make amends for the #OscarsSoWhite backlash, with its announcement of a diverse first slate of presenters and performers for next month’s Oscars ceremony.

    The list was revealed in alphabetical order and without designating exactly who’s performing and who’s presenting, though it appears that the performers will most likely be nominees Lady Gaga (up for Best Original Song for “Til It Happens to You” from “The Hunting Ground”), The Weeknd (“Fifty Shades of Grey” tune “Earned It”), and Sam Smith (“Spectre” theme “The Writing’s On the Wall”).

    Presenters will include past Oscar winners Benicio Del Toro, Whoopi Goldberg, and Charlize Theron, as well as Tina Fey, Ryan Gosling (a 2007 nominee for “Half Nelson”), Kevin Hart, Jacob Tremblay, and Pharrell Williams (a nominee and performer in 2014 for “Despicable Me 2″‘s ubiquitous “Happy”). Many more names are expected where those came from.

    The Academy has pledged to increase diversity among its ranks by doubling its number of women and minority members by 2020. It appears that inviting a more diverse slate of presenters to this year’s ceremony is also part of its inclusiveness plan.

    The Oscars, hosted by Chris Rock (who’s likely to address the controversy head-on), will take place on Sunday, February 28 on ABC.

    [via: The Academy]

    Photo credit: Getty Images

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  • Emily Blunt’s Boobs Vetoed the Nude Scene Planned for ‘Sicario’

    Emily Blunt is such an independent minded actress that even her breasts think and speak for themselves. Emily was on Howard Stern’s Sirius XM radio show, and it’s pretty much the law that if you go on Howard Stern you have to talk about nudity, sex, boobs, etc. Emily covered her bases when discussing a nude scene that did not make the cut of her badass new war-on-drugs movie “Sicario.” It was a scene between Benicio Del Toro and herself, and she apparently rejected it. Or “they” rejected it.

    As Emily put it (via People), “[A nude scene] was in there originally but it came out because we didn’t agree with it.” Who is this “we”? Emily replied, “My tits. [They said] ‘we’re not doing it.’ “

    Well, the tits have spoken — and who’s going to dare argue with them? Emily added that “Benicio backed me up,” so he was Team Tits, or Team No Tits, as it turned out. No one should have to give a reason for shutting down a nude scene — especially for a movie that is not exactly dependent on nude scenes — but this at least was a funny and unique way of explaining what didn’t happen.

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  • Benicio Del Toro Confirms ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ Villain Role

    'Un Dia Perfecto' Madrid PremiereThough it’s still a couple (light) years away, that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning for “Star Wars: Episode VIII,” which has had some exciting casting news recently. And that includes the involvement of actor Benicio Del Toro in the production, which the actor just confirmed in a recent interview.

    While in Spain promoting his new movie “A Perfect Day,” Del Toro spoke to a local radio station about the “Episode VIII” rumors (as translated here by Star Wars 7 News), and let it slip that not only would he be appearing in the flick, but he’s playing a villain, too. Here’s the key piece of the transcript:

    Interviewer: And are you going to shoot something after that?

    Benicio Del Toro: No, just… *pause* Star Wars is coming up, we will see how that turns out. I think we start shooting in March.

    Interviewer: And what’s your role in this new Star Wars chapter?

    Benicio: Ehhh…. the thing is…. They don’t let me talk too much about it, I’m like the villain.

    Interviewer: Oh wow!

    Benicio: But…. we’ll see…*laughs*

    Star Wars 7 News notes that, based on the translation, Del Toro’s choice of words about the nature of his part (“I’m like the villain”) could convey one of three things:

    His character seems to be a villain but actually isn’t

    He wanted to sort of discredit himself by adding doubt to his statements. (the most likely option)

    He really isn’t sure about the details of his character, and he is just saying what he has been told “he is like the villain”.

    While fans parse that statement, there’s obviously another interesting detail from the interview: “Episode VIII”‘s filming date, which Del Toro said is likely to be in March. That would give director Rian Johnson a little over a year to finish the flick before its March 2017 release date, which may be pushing things a bit, if “Episode VII” director J.J. Abrams‘s meticulous work (and revised deadlines) is any indication.

    We’ll have to wait for official word from Disney before any of this is 100 percent confirmed, but we’re excited to have the Academy Award-winning Del Toro on board. “Star Wars: Episode VIII” is due in theaters on May 26, 2017.

    [via: Rac 1, Star Wars 7 News, h/t Birth.Movies.Death]

    Photo credit: Getty Images

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  • ‘Excited’ Benicio Del Toro Talks ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ Villain Role

    It’s not a bad day when you get a call from the “Star Wars” team. Benicio Del Toro was recently said to be in talks to play a villain in “Star Wars: Episode VIII,” the 2017 movie coming after this December’s “Episode VII – The Force Awakens.”

    Entertainment Tonight asked Benicio about the potential “Star Wars” role and it sounds like he’s ready to go:

    I can’t tell you much about it but I think that it might happen. It looks like it’s gonna happen so I’m very excited. […] I can’t talk too much about it. The script is hard to get. They told me they’d cut my finger if I talk about it.”

    Yeah, don’t risk it! Variety had said the studio also met with Joaquin Phoenix, and they noted that “a deal is still far away from coming together,” so it may be too soon to say anything for sure. But we can’t blame him for being excited. “I saw the original one when it came out and it marked me,” Benicio, 48, said of the 1977 “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.” “I was impressed by the film and by the characters and by the story and the message.”

    Best of luck to Benicio on confirming the role. With or without him, Rian Johnson is directing “Episode VIII,” which will be released May 26, 2017.

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  • Benicio Del Toro Might Be the Villain in ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’

    FRANCE-CINEMA-FILM-FESTIVAL-CANNES-BLACK-WHITEIn the “Star Wars” universe, there are good guys and there are bad guys — and Benicio del Toro might be one of the latter.

    Variety reports that the Oscar winner is in talks to join “Star Wars: Episode VIII” as the movie’s main villain. He would join “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac, who are all expected to reprise their roles in the final film of the new trilogy.

    Adding a new big bad indicates that one or more of the villains from “Episode VII” don’t make it — Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren, Gwendolyn Christie’s Captain Phasma, or Domhnall Gleeson’s General Hux.

    Director Rian Johnson seems to be going after a big name, as Variety also notes that he met with Joaquin Phoenix for the part. Del Toro is better known for his work in dark, gritty, independent dramas, but he also signaled an interest in major franchises with a brief appearance as the kooky Collector in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

    If the actor signs on, he’d film “Episode VIII” with the rest of the cast next year to be ready for a May 26, 2017 date. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens Dec. 18.

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