Benedict Cumberbatch is not in Star Wars: Episode VII — not yet at least.

"I genuinely don't know," the actor said when asked by MTV about appearing in the next Star Wars film, helmed by his Star Trek Into Darkness director J.J. Abrams. "People know I'd like to be, including the boss, most importantly."

Cumberbatch's comments make it clear his interest in Star Wars is very much alive, despite what his representatives have said. Still, the actor would only describe the Star Wars rumors as "conjecture" and nothing more.

"This is all conjecture after me passing on another film, and that meant me meeting with people saying, 'Ah, he's passed to free himself up for Star Wars," he said. "I didn't know they were filming at the same time. I had no idea, and of course I'd like to be in it. Of course I'd like to do it, but no formal offers are being made at all as far as I'm aware. So really, it is just conjecture."

The next Star Wars cruises into theaters in 2015, with or without Cumberbatch.