Benedict Cumberbatch is the latest star rumored to have a role "Star Wars: Episode VII," this according to the site Film Chronicles.
Lucasfilm had no comment on the report when reached by HuffPost Entertainment. Cumberbatch's reps were also contacted and have yet to respond to the news; this post will be updated if and when they do.
There is no word yet on who Cumberbatch could play in the "Star Wars" sequel, but the possible role would reunite him with director J.J. Abrams. Cumberbatch played Khan for Abrams in this summer's "Star Trek Into Darkness," though Abrams was loathe to confirm that fact, even after the film's IMDb page listed Cumberbatch as the iconic villain.
If Cumberbatch is cast in the film, it is expected that he would join Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher on the call sheet. The trio will reportedly reprise their roles in the "Star Wars" sequel, though that hasn't been confirmed yet either. The 37-year-old actor has gone on record as being a fan of the original "Star Wars" trilogy, telling Total Film that he was an avid admirer of Han Solo.
"I always wanted to be Han Solo. Everything Harrison Ford did I just thought was the coolest thing ever -- 'Raiders Of The Lost Ark' was very much my upbringing as well," Cumberbatch said. In that interview, he joked about already asking Abrams for a part in "Star Wars."
Cumberbatch's involvement in "Episode VII" had been whispered about in online circles for the better part of the last week, with some film writers tweeting vague references about ... something:
Conspiracy theorists would note that Cumberbatch recently dropped out of Guillermo del Toro's "Crimson Peak," which was set to start production in January of 2014, right when Abrams is expected to shoot "Star Wars." (When Cumberbatch left the del Toro film, THR noted explicitly that "no reason for his departure was given, although sources say his exit is not due to another project.")
This is a great time for Cumberbatch either way, as he features in no less than three highly anticipated fall movies: "12 Years A Slave," "August: Osage County" and "The Fifth Estate," a DreamWorks production that Disney will release in October. Disney has not yet set a date for "Star Wars: Episode VII," but expect to see it in theaters in 2015.
UPDATE: Film writers and reporters have weighed in on the Cumberbatch rumor, which has not yet been debunked by any of the parties involved. (ScreenCrush also received a "no comment" from Lucasfilm.) A smattering of responses:
I see @screencrushnews went with the STAR WARS rumor: Benedict Cumberbatch. I hear he's the villain, if he's in it.
— Devin Faraci (@devincf) September 2, 2013
I'm not saying Cumberbatch will be in the movie - no deal is done, period - I just think these people straight up lie to press.
— Devin Faraci (@devincf) September 2, 2013
Indiewire's The Playlist did not post the Cumberbatch report, for what it's worth, but the site has run with numerous "Star Wars" casting rumors in the past -- including this one from just last week.
