Benicio del Toro denies Darth Maul casting rumors, making it clear that he was never cast or offered the part for Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. The Academy Award winner addressed longstanding speculation about his connection to the 1999 Star Wars film, putting an end to years of debate over his potential involvement with the notorious Sith Lord.
Del Toro Responds to Claims About Darth Maul Casting
For decades, rumors persisted that Benicio del Toro almost portrayed Darth Maul but chose to leave after script changes allegedly limited the character’s role. In a recent interview, the actor, known for his roles in The Usual Suspects and Guardians of the Galaxy, faced these claims directly and clarified his experience during a conversation on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, hosted by Josh Horowitz.
During the discussion, Horowitz referenced the common story suggesting that del Toro had initially agreed to take on the part of Darth Maul. Horowitz asked,
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?
—Josh Horowitz, Podcast Host
Del Toro refuted the claim, responding,
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].
—Benicio del Toro, Actor
This exchange ended much of the confusion. According to the long-standing rumor, George Lucas revised Darth Maul’s role, reducing his lines, which supposedly led del Toro to exit the project. The character eventually went to Ray Park, a then-unknown stunt performer, who brought the villain to life in The Phantom Menace.
Never Part of the Star Wars Prequel Cast, Del Toro Later Joins the Franchise
Benicio del Toro further clarified that he was never even part of the casting process for Star Wars: Episode I. Despite the speculation linking del Toro to the Star Wars universe earlier, his official debut in the franchise arrived years later, in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, where he portrayed the deceptive DJ in 2017. This information dispels the widely held belief about his missed opportunity with Darth Maul and confirms that he only had one official involvement with the series.
As this revelation circulates, it brings closure to a persistent Hollywood rumor and redefines how fans understand the early casting process behind one of Star Wars’ most iconic villains. The candid response from Benicio del Toro demonstrates how much myth and misreporting can build up around major film projects, fueling decades of debate that can finally be put to rest.
