Before many characters in Star Wars would become iconic (thanks to the amazing portrayals their actors brought to them), there was a lot of "What If's" regarding certain castings. George Lucas met with the top talent of the respective eras when both the original and prequel trilogies were made.
Had any of these alternate castings happened, the world may be a completely different place. The experience of the movie could have been very different. Perhaps just the change of an actor could have elicited a much different reaction from moviegoers. Who knows?
Michael Jackson (Jar Jar Binks)
Before Ahmed Best was cast in the role of one of the most hated characters in Star Wars (sadly), some fans might not have realized that there was a huge A-List celebrity that campaigned hard for it at the time.
According to The Rolling Stone, Michael Jackson wanted to play Jar Jar and viewed it as his dream role. George Lucas, however, thought Jackson would be too recognizable in the role and wanted to use new motion capture technology that ILM pioneered for it, while Jackson wanted heavy prosthetics. It was probably for the best this didn't happen.
Mel Blanc (C-3PO)
Best known as "The Man of a thousand voices," C-3PO could have been another addition to Blanc's already massive catalog. Lucas had planned to re-dub all of Anthony Daniels' lines as the droid in post-production. However, just like Ahmed Best, it's impossible to not think of Daniels with the character. The two really created their characters through unique movements and a specific speech patterns.
Best known for voicing several Looney Tunes characters, including Bugs Bunny, it's not hard to imagine why Lucas would want someone like Mel Blanc. However, the director soon changed his mind after it was believed that Blanc or another cartoon voice actor suggested they kept Daniels (via Variety). It was definitely a decision for the best, for had Lucas not gone with Daniels, his vision for C-3PO's voice could have turned out completely different.
Kurt Russell (Han Solo)
Nobody can imagine the iconic smuggler without picturing Harrison Ford as his expressive mannerisms really helped shape the character. However, Ford was not the only actor who tried out for Solo. Other actors considered for the role included Al Pacino, Robert Englund and even Christopher Walken but it's quite difficult to imagine any of them in the role (via Screen Rant).
One actor who auditioned for Han, that stands out, has to be Kurt Russell (per CinemaBlend). Although he was only 24 years old at the time, putting him at the same age as Mark Hamill, he still would have nailed the role. Throughout his career, Russell has played a wide array of likable rogue-ish characters, making him a good qualifier. Had this happened instead, Harrison Ford would never become a household name and Indiana Jones probably never would have been made with him.
Jodie Foster (Princess Leia)
Before Carrie Fisher was offered the role of Princess Leia, some fans might not have realized that the casting directors were also thinking about giving the role to Jodie Foster. Given that Jodie Foster was only 14 at the time, George Lucas would have had to drastically change the script since it would have been impossible and wrong for Princess Leia to end up romantically linked with Harrison Ford's Han Solo. However, if Lucas did succeed in doing this, then that's not to say that she wouldn't have put in a good performance since the young actor had already exhibited a ton of talent after starring in Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver.
Nevertheless, after rewatching the movies over and over, many fans will agree that nobody can replace Carrie Fisher. Her fiery yet charming personality really helped shape the character and nobody but Fisher could have done that.
Orson Welles (Darth Vader)
When hearing Darth Vader, there's no other actor than James Earl Jones that could do it. Before Jones was cast, according to StarWars.com, George Lucas originally wanted Orson Welles, who also had a very distinct voice.
When it came down to choosing between Jones and Welles, Lucas was very impressed with Jones and decided that Welles would be too recognizable. Casting mostly unknown actors was for the best as it kickstarted the careers of many, giving them future opportunities they otherwise wouldn't have received.
Tupac Shakur (Mace Windu)
It's very hard to picture anyone in the role of Mace Windu besides Samuel L. Jackson. As Star Wars fans keep demanding for Windu to return, it's no surprise there's a lot of love for the character. However, Jackson was not Lucas' first choice. Acclaimed rapper and budding actor Tupac Shakur was actually up for the role.
As reported by The Rolling Stone, Tupac had read for the role, according to fellow Death Row Records member Rick Clifford. Clifford stated, "He was telling me that he was supposed to read for George Lucas. They wanted him to be a Jedi… Samuel L. [Jackson] got Tupac’s part." Had he never died, the role could have gone to Shakur as his intense yet likable personality shown in many of his performances prove he would have nailed the role. It's a real shame he ed away so young.
Michael Fassbender (Kylo Ren)
In an interview with Kylo Ren's Star Wars story could have played out very differently.
Ultimately Fassbender had to on the role due to scheduling conflicts, mentioning “We talked about a role. We had a conversation. I’m pretty sure I was busy doing something else in the summer he was kickstarting that.”
Jessica Henwick (Rey)
Best known for her martial arts-centric role as Colleen Wing in Marvel & Netflix's Defenders franchise, Henwick could have had the leading role of a lifetime in the Star Wars franchise. After a long and grueling audition process, Henwick relayed to NME “It was very hard for me when I didn’t get it. But I see why – Daisy did such an incredible job and it was 100 percent her journey to make."
Things didn't turn out that bad for Henwick as she still ended up in The Force Awakens playing one of Poe's wingmen, Jessika Pava. The role was written specifically for her by J.J. Abrams after being impressed with her audition (via CinemaBlend). Henwick's future in Hollywood is looking pretty bright too as she just starred in a leading role in The Matrix Resurrections and will soon appear in The Russo Brothers' The Gray Man and Knives Out 2 releasing later this year.
Benicio Del Toro (Darth Maul)
Nearly two decades before his appearance as the scheming DJ in 2017's The Last Jedi, Del Toro was initially cast as Palpatine's apprentice, Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace. According to CBR, Benicio Del Toro was all set to appear as Maul until things became complicated. Already an overstuffed film, Lucas chose to significantly trim Maul's lines in the film. Once Del Toro was notified, he dropped out of the role. Martial artist, Ray Park then stepped in.
Ray Park was undeniably the perfect choice as Maul is such a physical role that requires strong athletic prowess. As a trained gymnast, ballet dancer, martial artist, and stuntman, Ray Park hit all the right boxes. Had Maul had a larger role, Del Toro definitely could have given a very intense, intimidating performance.
Leonardo DiCaprio (Anakin Skywalker)
Had Leonardo DiCaprio played Anakin, there probably wouldn't have been nearly as many Anakin Prequel memes as there are. Although Hayden Christensen is a very talented actor, the way he delivers some of his lines isn't as expressive as DiCaprio's.
Lucas met with DiCaprio for the role but the actor ed it in favor of doing The Beach. Looking back at his decision, DiCaprio spoke with Vanity Fair and said “I don’t think I was ready for anything like that. Just didn’t feel ready to take that dive, at that point.” Had he taken on the role, his many great films in the 2000s probably wouldn't have been made with him such as Gangs of New York, Catch Me If You Can, or The Aviator.
