From Sherlock to Sith? Benedict Cumberbatch Rumored for Major Villain Role in STAR WARS VII

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The rumblings over Star Wars VII casting have started to pick up over the last two weeks. Most recently, Alex Pettfyr and Rachel Hurd-Wood were rumored to be up for the roles of Luke’s son and Leia’s daugheter, respectively. But that’s not something go get excited about really, a stripper and a no-name. Well, here’s news that will make millions of Tumblrs suddenly cry out in happiness all at once… Benedict Cumberbatch’s name is being tossed around for the role of a major villain in the next Star Wars movie.

There has been a quiet build up to this news, but Bad Ass Digest sent word across the web that Cumberbatch isn’t just up for one movie but rather all three films in the new trilogy. It’s also why he recently dropped out of Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak without much of an explanation. Not even something silly like creative differences.

Cumberbatch is in a rare position, career-wise. He’s the envy of geekdom, playing characters in Star Trek and this year’s The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, along with his recurring role as Sherlock Holmes on the BBC-produced series. But he’s also the hottest star in town when it comes to critically-acclaimed movies, with War Horse and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy already on his filmography and 12 Years a Slave, August: Osage County and The Fifth Estate still to come this year. I can’t recall anyone who has had quite a moment like this in such a short period of time.

Cumberbatch has a history with J.J. Abrams, playing his Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness, so that connection alone gives credence to the rumor. Plus, as Film Chronicles points out, Cumberbatch, like Abbrams, is more of a Star Wars kid than Star Trek, quoting the actor:

I was much more connected to [Star Wars] as a kid, in the way that a lot of kids are because it’s immediate storytelling, very simple – a beautifully, outrageously simple narrative in a way – and a wonderful three-act melodrama, opera. And I loved them. I really, really loved those films and I always wanted to be Han Solo. Everything Harrison Ford did I just thought was the coolest thing ever.

Well, Bennie, you’re pretty much the coolest thing ever now, and if this rumor pans out, then it’s one more reason to anticipate Star Wars VII.

Star Wars VII hits theaters in December 2015.