Breaking Bad Star Almost Became Star Wars’ Cassian Andor—You’ll Never Guess Who

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Despite not initially receiving primary billing for his debut as Cassian Andor in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” Diego Luna’s portrayal of this morally ambiguous Star Wars character has resonated deeply with fans, cementing it as one of his most cherished roles amidst an illustrious career. His return to the character for two seasons of the Disney+ series “Star Wars: Andor” has further enriched and solidified Cassian’s importance within the Rebellion, adding even more depth to this significant figure.

Similar to how Han Solo and Anakin Skywalker from previous Star Wars films had other actors considered for their roles, Cassian Andor also had a different actor linked to the character before Diego Luna was cast. In fact, an actor known for his role in Breaking Bad was once associated with one of Rogue One’s crucial characters.

Aaron Paul Nearly Went to a Galaxy Far, Far Away?

After Felicity Jones was chosen for Jyn Erso, there was much speculation in various media outlets about who would play the male lead in what was then known only as Rogue One. In early 2015, two actors who were popular in Hollywood during the mid-2010s emerged as potential candidates for the unnamed role of Cassian Andor. These contenders included Édgar Ramírez and Aaron Paul, a well-known star from Breaking Bad, who was being considered to help lead a Star Wars film.

2013 saw the airing of the final episode of “Breaking Bad,” marking the end of a career-defining role for Paul. With his calendar now clear, Paul started accepting prominent film roles, featuring in movies such as “Need for Speed,” “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” and “Eye in the Sky.” The majority of these productions were filmed during 2013 and 2014, reflecting Hollywood’s eagerness to utilize actors who had previously appeared on “Breaking Bad” following the conclusion of Walter White’s storyline. This enthusiasm even led Paul to use one of his iconic Jesse Pinkman catchphrases in his appearance in “Central Intelligence.

In early 2015, while Paul was busy with numerous film roles, the production of “Rogue One” started casting characters other than the Ersos. Given Paul’s background in playing shady characters, it seems logical that they would have been interested in him for Cassian Andor, a role that could have greatly benefited from his experience. Moreover, the contrast between Andor’s ultimately heroic character and the grim roles Paul had previously played might have appealed to him. However, Paul was never cast in “Rogue One”, and by May of the same year, Luna was officially confirmed for the role of Andor.

Cassian Andor Now Belongs to Diego Luna

Cassian Andor’s character might have been perfectly suited for Aaron Paul’s acting style. Given that Paul has a track record of leading long-running TV series like “Breaking Bad” and “The Path,” he could have had the expertise and confidence to carry two seasons of “Andor.” However, it seems that this casting didn’t materialize. Aaron Paul is one of many talented actors who nearly landed roles in Disney’s early Star Wars films. It’s not a comment on his abilities or talent; it’s just how the entertainment industry functions. Sometimes, certain roles don’t work out as planned.

Additionally, not watching “Rogue One” left open intriguing possibilities for Paul. This led to him starring in three seasons of “The Path,” a series that began during the same period as “Rogue One’s” principal filming. It’s also plausible that he wouldn’t have been able to star in 2020’s independent films like “Dual” and “Ash” if he had been involved with the demanding “Andor” seasons at the start of this decade. Aaron Paul has thrived as an artist over the past decade, despite not taking on the role of Cassian Andor in “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie,” which he reprised in October 2019.

The significant aspect of possibly including Paul in “Rogue One” highlights the influence of mid-2010s popular culture on its cast selection. Given that Felicity Jones’ character Jyn Erso was portrayed by an actress who had recently been nominated for an Oscar, Ben Mendelsohn was well-known from his role in the widely appreciated Netflix series “Bloodline”, and Riz Ahmed had garnered praise for his performances in 2014 films like “Nightcrawler”, it’s not surprising that Aaron Paul, who gained prominence with the finale of “Breaking Bad” in 2013, almost joined the cast as Cassian Andor.

Rogue One is now streaming on Disney. New episodes of Andor season two drop Tuesdays on Disney+.

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2025-05-04 19:11