Summary

When casting for anyStar Warsproject , there are many actor who are considered but never make it to the big screen . Sometimes , one actor is simply chosen over another because the director finds a better conniption . Other time , an actor drops out of the project for one ground or another , leave production scrambling to find a last minute replacement .

For these reason and more , there are many unlike actors who were almost a part of theStar Warsfranchise , well-nigh cast across several trilogies . Some would have loan star power to the production , others would have been a beguilement . These are some of the most surprising , inspiring thoughts about what the franchise might depend like were they choose for the cast .

What ’s the best way to determine Star Wars ? Here ’s everything you necessitate to know to watch in discharge or timeline order , and how to include the TV show .

Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn from Star Wars The Phantom Menace, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker from Star Wars A New Hope, Daisy Ridley as Rey from Star Wars The Force Awakens

10Tupac Shakur Was Almost Involved In The Prequel Trilogy

The Musician Would Have Played Mace Windu

It is difficult to imagine anyone but Samuel L. Jackson playing the iconic role of Mace Windu , but reality was almost very dissimilar . Sometime before his tragic passing in 1996 , the far-famed knocker and songwriter Tupac Shakur auditioned for the office of Mace Windu . yield the fact thatStar warfare : Episode I - The Phantom Menacebegan filming in 1997 , it would have been unacceptable for Tupac to diddle the part of Mace Windu even if he was cast .

This would not have been the first movie that the knocker was cast in , as he amassed a small filmography during his career . Starring in movies such asPoetic JusticeandGang Related , the latter of which was released after his death , Tupac would have had experience acting in picture show . He would have been a compelling choice to dally any function he was take for , and it is a ignominy that viewers will never get the hazard to see him become a part ofStar Wars .

9Toshiro Mifune Helped Provide The Inspiration For Star Wars

And He Was Almost Cast To Play The Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi or Darth Vader In A New Hope

It is well known that one of the greatest intake for the originalStar Warstrilogy were the films of Japanese theatre director Akira Kurosawa . The plot consume heavy inhalation from one moving-picture show in particular , The Hidden Fortress , a picture in which Toshiro Mifune antecedently appeared . George Lucas offered Mifune the roles of both Obi - Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader , but was turned down due to worries about degrade the samurai look-alike that Lucas tear so much inspiration from .

by from elements of the plot , aesthetics , and even silver screen transitions , his involution would have raise the look that , at its inwardness , Star Wars is a samurai movie .

If Mifune had been drift in the original serial , either as Obi - Wan or as Darth Vader , the influence of Akira Kurosawa in the concluding product would have been even more blatant . Aside from elements of the plot , aesthetics , and even screen transitions , his engagement would have advance the feeling that , at its sum , Star Warsis a samurai movie . However , because he turned down the role , Alec Guinness and James Earl Jones were pick out for Obi - Wan and Darth Vader respectively .

Kylo Ren, Finn, Rey, Captain Phasma, and more all dueling in the Star Wars sequel trilogy

8Leonardo DiCaprio Was Almost The Leading Man For The Prequel Trilogy

Anakin Skywalker Would Have Been Portrayed Much Differently

In the late 90 , Leonardo DiCaprio was best have intercourse for his role on television , such as in the sitcomParenthood , as well as romances such asRomeo + JulietandTitanic , the latter of which was released in 1997.DiCaprio was originally the frontrunner to play Anakin Skywalker , part with the movieStar Wars : Episode II - Attack of the Clones . However , DiCaprio at last move around down the role , which then go to Hayden Christensen .

There were a sort of ground for this , including the fact that DiCaprio simply did n’t feel quick to take on a role such as that of Anakin Skywalker . By this point in clip , Star Warshad already developed a massive wealth of traditional knowledge , and it just was n’t something that DiCaprio feel prepared for . He was also work on the Scorsese filmGangs of New Yorkat the time , a role that learn up the majority of his sentence and would have made star inStar Warsdifficult .

7Orson Welles Almost Provided The Voice Of Franchise’s Most Recognizable Villain

But Darth Vader Needed A Voice That Would Be Special

During the postal service - product ofA New Hope , the character of Darth Vader provided a unique challenge in the way that his line need to be dubbed over . This is both because the mask repress the talking to of the actor who played him , David Prowse , and also because his voice seemed uncharacteristic for the function . astonishingly enough , one of the worker on George Lucas ’ shortlist was the iconic Orson Welles , known best forCitizen Kane .

Though it is unsung whether Welles would have taken the persona , somehow or another the part was yield to James Earl Jones , giving viewers the iconic voice that is so well known today . Darth Vader ’s vox want to become placeable , something that Jones absolutely succeeded at achieve . At the goal of the twenty-four hours , agree to Lucas,“It was really a option between Orson Welles and James Earl Jones . James Earl Jones gain hands down . ”

6Benicio Del Toro Nearly Joined The Franchise Much Earlier

Darth Maul Was Played Instead By Ray Park In The Phantom Menace

Well jazz for pic such asSicario , The Usual Suspects , andFear and abhorrence in Las Vegas , Benicio del Toro has even made an appearing as the enigmatic disk jockey inStar Wars : The Last Jedi . However , he almost became a part of theStar Warsfranchise much earlier on in his life-time . This is because del Toro was originally not just in the running to playthe dark side apprentice Darth Maul , but was the original cast fellow member for the use .

Because of the lack dialog and screen time , it is potential that del Toro just felt that the part was no longer worth it .

Despite initial excitement for the role , del Toro eventually parted way with the labor . This is potential because the part had been cut considerably in subsequent drafts , bringing the part of Darth Maul down to a few minute and a fistful of lines . Because of the lacking talks and screen door time , it is potential that del Toro simply felt that the part was no longer worth it .

Emperor Palpatine laughing maniacally in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

The cast of the Star Wars sequel trilogy let in icons like Harrison Ford recapitulate their old characters and freshman include Daisy Ridley .

5Gary Oldman Was Originally Cast To Voice General Grievous

But He Was Eventually Forced To Drop TheRevenge Of The SithRole

Being another character requiring an iconic voice , General Grievous is one that many would assume is difficult to throw . However , the original Grievous cast would have seen Gary OldmanofThe Fifth ElementandThe Dark Knight Trilogyfame as the lightsaber wielding superior general . Despite the fact that he to begin with read lines for George Lucas and was even directed by him in some deference , he was eventually push to put down the project .

This is becauseStar Wars : Episode III - Revenge of the Sithwas not a trade union production . George Lucas had antecedently force out of both the Director ’s Guild of America and the Writer ’s Guild of America due to result concerning credit rating and his famous opening title crawl , and because of this he has since run into issues when it comes to charter specific actor . Oldman did n’t need to be known for breaking any sexual union rule , and because of this , Matthew Wood was chosen for the office rather .

4Al Pacino Might Have Been A Unique Choice To Venture Among The Stars

The ScarfaceStar Would Have Played A Much Different Han Solo

WhenA New Hopewas initially in its developing stages , many unlike actors were asked to bring the part of the starring persona . One such actor was Al Pacino , who was originally postulate to trifle the persona of Han Solo . Despite articulate that the crew offered him quite a bit of money to play the part , Pacino finally turned the purpose down .

Pacino state thatthis was because , after scan the script , he plainly did not understand the movie . Though he was not specific about what in the script he did n’t understand , it was enough for him to go through up the office in its entireness . This induce the role to eventually go to Harrison Ford , who apace shot to stardom following the film ’s release . If Al Pacino were to fiddle the role of Han Solo , the fictional character would have been in for a much more intense execution , making for a much unlike character than the put - back rogue that viewers know and love .

3Michael Jackson Wanted To Be A Part Of Star Wars

The Singer Auditioned For The Role Of Jar Jar Binks

notable pop champion Michael Jackson was no stranger to film roles , making appearances in movies such asThe WizandMoonwalker . Jackson magnificently auditioned forStar Warsas well , want to fiddle the now almost universally dislike fictitious character of Jar Jar Binks . He was a massiveStar Warsenthusiast , but not even this was enough to land Jackson the character inThe Phantom Menace .

It is likely that his massive level of fame liken to everyone else in the cast of characters would have eclipse the flick in some way .

George Lucas turn Jackson down for a variety of reasons , notably because Jackson desire to play the theatrical role in prosthetics and makeup as fight down to the CGI the fiber was finally made from . It is also likely that his massive spirit level of celebrity compare to everyone else in the form would have overshadowed the movie in some way , even for a low part like Jar Jar . Regardless of what Lucas ’ full reasoning was , Ahmed Best was eventually chosen for the role .

Anakin in Revenge of the Sith beside Leonardo DiCaprio, and General Grievous beside Gary Oldman

Custom Image by Yeider Chacon

2Jim Henson Could Have Lent His Voice To The Trilogy

Yoda Was Made By Jim Henson, But He Did Not Voice The Jedi

Jedi Master Yoda , along with his unequalled personal manner of speaking , is one of the most recognisable parts of theStar Warsbrand . The original tool was create by the famous puppeteer Jim Henson , who also created many iconic serial publication , such asSesame StreetandThe Muppets . Originally , George Lucas also postulate him to provide the voice of Yoda , but Jim Henson turned down the opportunity because he was so busy at the time .

However , rather of simply turning down the character and walk aside , Henson really recommended Frank Oz , the final voice of Yoda inThe Empire Strikes Back , for the function . Oz was also a puppeteer that worked with Henson , and he had extensive phonation playing experience . It is because of this that Yoda was given his iconic vocalization , one that is difficult to imagine the character without .

1Kurt Russell Could Have Been The Star Wars Franchise’s Leading Man

He Was In The Running For Luke Skywalker And Han Solo

Made celebrated for his roles in moving-picture show such asThe ThingandEscape From New York , Kurt Russell almost played one of the most iconic role in movie history . Not only did he try out for Luke Skywalker , but Russell was also up for Han Solo as well . Despite this and the fact that George Lucas bonk him in both roles , Russell eventually decided to walk away from the undertaking .

Russell mention his decision to take the air out as being due to George Lucas ’ own indecisiveness . Because Lucas did not cognize whether to cast him as Luke Skywalker , Han Solo , or if to throw away him at all , Russell make up one’s mind to turn down the offer and take other moving-picture show roles rather . This denied them both a swell possible action , causing many to question whatStar Warswould look like now if Kurt Russell had been cast in those former stages .

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