You Won’t Believe These Actors Were Once Rumored For Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Roles

When Disney revealed that a fresh Star Wars trilogy would debut in cinemas in 2015, the web buzzed with anticipation about who might star in these highly-anticipated films. Given their potential to be some of the largest productions ever and offer a massive platform for emerging talent, speculation ran high. The trilogy, spanning from The Force Awakens, catapulted newcomers such as John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Kelly Marie Tran, Naomi Ackie, and many others into the spotlight, with their roles in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy installments marking significant career milestones.

It might surprise you to know that some of the actors who starred in the Sequel Trilogy almost didn’t get their roles. The casting process for these three Star Wars films was extensive and saw many well-known actors linked to significant characters. Now, it’s hard to envision anyone other than Daisy Ridley playing Rey, but initially, other performers were in the running for this lead role and others in the Sequel Trilogy. Here are some potential casting alternatives for these Star Wars movies!

Jessica Henwick as Rey

Prior to Daisy Ridley’s casting as Rey, it seemed that many budding actresses in the film industry were being considered for the lead role in the Sequel Trilogy. In early 2020, Jessica Henwick, known for her roles in “Iron Fist” and “The Matrix Resurrections”, disclosed that she was among those contenders. Henwick underwent a rigorous, multi-month audition process to secure the part, but ultimately didn’t get it. Despite the disappointment of not landing the role of Rey, Henwick has since thrived with roles in films like “Glass Onion” and “The Royal Hotel”.

Jesse Plemons as Finn

2014 marked a pivotal moment in Jesse Plemons’ career, on the brink of a transformation. Famed for his role as Todd Alquist in Breaking Bad, he was gearing up for stardom, but the question lingered: what form would this stardom take? In one scenario, it could have been playing Finn in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy. In March 2014, Plemons was shortlisted alongside John Boyega, who eventually portrayed Finn, for the role. However, he didn’t win the part, which opened up opportunities for him to accept a diverse array of captivating supporting roles in films like Game Night, Bridge of Spies, and The Irishman throughout the rest of the 2010s.

Eddie Redmayne as Kylo Ren

Currently, it’s challenging to envision Adam Driver apart from his character Kylo Ren. Given that the creators of “The Force Awakens” made significant efforts to accommodate Driver’s commitments for “Girls,” it’s evident that J.J. Abrams and team also considered him as a fitting new villain in the Star Wars universe. Prior to Driver, Eddie Redmayne was under consideration for the role. His age and physique similarities to Driver, combined with his recent success in “Les Miserables” during the early 2010s, made him an obvious choice for Kylo Ren. Eventually, Driver took on the role, even incorporating shirtless scenes into it. For those who yearn for Redmayne as a sinister space antagonist, I would recommend watching “Jupiter Ascending.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Rose Tico

Since Rose Tico became the standout new character in The Last Jedi, the part was eagerly pursued by many actors before it was given to Kelly Marie Tran. Among those rumored for the role was Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who seemed to be a perfect fit and was even reported as being cast in The Last Jedi as early as September 2015. However, these reports were unfounded, and it was eventually Tran who landed the part as Rose (which later turned out to be disappointing for her). Eventually, Gugu Mbatha-Raw did appear in a significant Disney sci-fi production, playing a two-season role on Loki.

Joaquin Phoenix as DJ

Initially, it was Joaquin Phoenix who was considered for the enigmatic DJ role in “The Last Jedi,” but he ultimately turned down the offer. His prior experience playing intricate and detestable characters in independent films made him a strong candidate for this part. However, Phoenix’s reluctance towards major studio productions prevented him from appearing in “The Last Jedi,” which eventually led to Benicio del Toro taking on his first “Star Wars” role instead.

Matt Smith as an Unknown Rise of Skywalker Character

Matt Smith’s involvement in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” was quite mysterious. Initially rumored to be joining the cast (which Smith later denied), it wasn’t until late 2021 that he confirmed his participation in the film, albeit in an undisclosed role. Smith hinted that his character would have had profound implications for the entire “Star Wars” universe without revealing specific details. Numerous internet speculations propose that Smith might have been considered for various roles, such as Palpatine’s offspring or the Son of Mortis from the “Clone Wars” cartoon. However, the exact character he would have played remains unconfirmed. Despite the lack of official confirmation, it’s intriguing to ponder how close Smith came to landing a significant “Star Wars” role.

It’s quite coincidental that Smith experienced the same predicament with his character in the Terminator series. Originally, he was supposed to portray a human-AI hybrid of the franchise antagonist, Skynet, following the unsuccessful reboot known as Terminator: Genisys.

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2025-01-05 22:10