Benicio Del Toro has apparently been offered the role of the lead villain in the next Star Wars movie.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens cast members Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac are all expected to return in follow-up Star Wars: Episode VIII, and now Variety has reported the Guardians Of The Galaxy star has been approached to join them.

Sources said talks for the role – the details of which are unknown – are still in the early stages, but Disney and Lucasfilm have their sights set on a big A-list star.

Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix has also been linked to the role (John Salangsang/Invision)

The studio is rumoured to have also met with Joaquin Phoenix for the part.

Del Toro was previously in talks to play Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness, but negotiations fell through.

Star Wars: Episode VIII will blast into cinemas on May 26, 2017.

Rian Johnson, known for the innovative time travel film Looper, is confirmed to write and direct the movie.

Episode VIII will take place after the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which opens on December 18 this year, directed by JJ Abrams.