Benicio del Toro has addressed long-standing talk surrounding the Benicio del Toro Star Wars Darth Maul casting speculation, putting to rest rumors that have been circulating since Star Wars: The Phantom Menace premiered. During a recent podcast appearance to promote his latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, del Toro was asked directly about his supposed early involvement with the iconic villain in the 1999 film, responding with surprising candor.
Del Toro Confronts Casting Rumors Directly
Appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, del Toro faced a question that has intrigued fans for decades: Was he ever set to play Darth Maul in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace? The actor, known for his complex roles and intense screen presence, dismissed the idea altogether, stating,
No … I don’t remember that,
—Benicio del Toro, Actor
He continued,
I don’t remember everything, but I don’t remember that. I don’t remember being cast in another Star Wars movie except for the one I was cast.
—Benicio del Toro, Actor
This admission undermined years of speculation about whether George Lucas had originally sought out del Toro for a role that ultimately went to Ray Park, with Peter Serafinowicz providing the voice for the Sith apprentice.
The Actor’s Actual Star Wars Role
While Benicio del Toro was not involved in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, he did join the franchise in 2017’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi as DJ, a mysterious codebreaker who gets caught up in Finn and Rose’s desperate mission. His portrayal as DJ—whose name stands for “Don’t Join”—offered a different perspective in the galactic conflict, as his character ultimately betrays the Resistance, highlighting themes of ambiguity and duality.
DJ’s role in The Last Jedi was a testament to del Toro’s capacity to embody layered, morally complex characters, setting his part apart from the high-energy martial artistry often associated with mainline Star Wars antagonists.
The Legacy of Darth Maul and the Imagined Alternate Casting
Darth Maul was brought to life physically by Ray Park, who delivered an acrobatic and visually striking performance, while Peter Serafinowicz provided the menacing voice. Despite being heavily featured in the film‘s promotion, Maul’s time on screen was short, leading some to criticize how quickly the character seemed to be dispatched from the storyline.
George Lucas later responded to fan disappointment by reviving Maul in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where voice actor Sam Witwer redefined the villain, expanding his mythology and influence in the Star Wars universe.
If the rumors about Benicio del Toro playing Darth Maul had been true, the Sith apprentice could have been an entirely different figure. Del Toro’s strengths as an actor lie in his ability to project menace and ambiguity rather than athleticism, meaning his Maul might have been more like Darth Vader—a chilling, psychological force, rather than primarily an action-focused villain. Such a shift could have inspired George Lucas to reconsider the character’s fate, possibly keeping Maul as a recurring threat throughout the prequel trilogy.
Persistent Rumors and Selective Memory in Hollywood
Some fans find it difficult to believe that an actor of del Toro’s stature would not recollect a potential casting in a major production such as Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. However, considering that more than two decades have elapsed since the film’s release and that del Toro has managed an extensive career since then, his lack of memory is not entirely unexpected. It’s worth noting that other celebrated actors, such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jon Favreau—both with Marvel and Star Wars credits—have admitted to struggling to remember every project in their filmographies.
This phenomenon sheds light on how rumors can gain momentum within the industry and fandom, especially when high-stakes productions like Star Wars are involved. As time passes, even prominent figures can lose track of what projects were seriously considered, publicly discussed, or merely the product of intense speculation by media and fans.
How Casting Might Have Changed the Franchise
The idea of Benicio del Toro being cast as Darth Maul, had it actually happened, might have opened up an alternative narrative path for the beloved franchise. With a more menacing and psychologically focused version of Maul, rather than a martial arts showcase, it is possible Star Wars fans would have seen the villain become a long-term nemesis across the prequel trilogy, paralleling the significance of Darth Vader. Yet, as it stands, the original vision played out with Ray Park and Peter Serafinowicz bringing their unique blend of physicality and voice to the part, while del Toro left his mark years later as DJ.
Though persistent whispers and fan theories are likely to continue in corners of the internet, Benicio del Toro’s recent statements make it clear that his only involvement in the Star Wars universe was as DJ in The Last Jedi. For now, the Benicio del Toro Star Wars Darth Maul casting speculation will remain an intriguing what-if scenario that highlights just how much a single casting decision can shape the direction—and legacy—of epic stories and the actors involved.
