BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH Is a Sith Villain in STAR WARS EPISODE 7?

Yesterday we reported that everyone’s favorite British detective (and Stare Contest Champion) Benedict Cumberbatch would be cast in Star Wars Episode 7. At least, that’s what our reliable friends at Film Chronicle claimed.

Well, today we know about more about the news. It seems (unfortunately so) that Cumberbatch will portray the Sith nemesis of the new trilogy, which is disappointing on two notes. First, because Cumberbatch has been typecast as a British Baddie in the last 2 big budget franchises in which he’s appeared: The Hobbit Trilogy as Smaug the Dragon and Khan in Star Trek: Into Darkness. Second, the overhanded notion of ‘Jedi vs Sith’ is a bit played out at this point, and I don’t imagine Star Wars Episode 7 will refer to the classic conflict tactfully. Recall how the Sith were treated in the Original Trilogy? Sure, Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine were the main antagonists of the flicks, but George Lucas didn’t cheapen their entire conflict with Luke Skywalker and the Rebels by constantly referring to it as “Jedi vs Sith”. Instead Lucas allowed a natural series of dichotomies to drench the narrative: Rebels vs Imperials, Democracy vs Empire, and yes, Jedi vs Sith (but it’s very rarely referred to as such, which makes this particular conflict so intriguing).

I suggested yesterday that Benedict Cumberbatch could very likely portray Darth Caedus in Star Wars Episode 7. I know, I know… J.J. Abrams and crew have adamantly reminded we few fanboys that the new trilogy will be entirely unrelated to the Expanded Universe’s books, comics, and games. Still, if they borrow any of the bits and pieces from the Star Wars novels, then Cumberbatch is perfect for that particular Sith role.

SOURCE: BA