Major Actors who Turned Down a ‘Star Wars’ Role

The ‘Star Wars’ galaxy is packed with legends, but getting them there wasn’t always easy—plenty of big names were asked, courted, or even briefly attached before walking away. Below are 20 major actors who, for reasons ranging from scheduling and contracts to creative fit, ultimately passed on roles across films and TV set in a galaxy far, far away. Each entry notes the part they were linked to and what’s been reported about why it didn’t happen. It’s a fascinating look at how close the saga came to looking very different.

Al Pacino

Pacino was offered Han Solo in the original 1977 film and declined after finding the script hard to parse at the time. He has said the sudden post-‘The Godfather’ influx of offers made decisions like this more common for him. The part went to Harrison Ford, whose performance helped define the character. Pacino has discussed the offer in interviews and in his memoir.

Burt Reynolds

Reynolds said he turned down Han Solo during the 1970s casting search. He later acknowledged the decision and joked about it in interviews. The role then went to Harrison Ford after an extensive audition process. Reynolds’ pass is one of the most-cited “what ifs” in franchise lore.

Toshirō Mifune

Mifune was approached about playing Obi-Wan Kenobi—and at one point reportedly Darth Vader—but declined. His family has said he worried the portrayal might cheapen samurai imagery that inspired the films. The Kenobi role ultimately went to Alec Guinness. Vader was performed by David Prowse with the voice provided by James Earl Jones.

Jodie Foster

Foster was in the mix for Princess Leia during early casting but couldn’t do it because of scheduling conflicts with other work. Carrie Fisher was then cast as Leia and became inseparable from the role. Foster has spoken about the overlap that made it impossible to commit. The timing simply didn’t line up for her to join the production.

Leonardo DiCaprio

DiCaprio met about playing Anakin Skywalker in the prequel era and ultimately passed. Hayden Christensen went on to star as the character in ‘Attack of the Clones’ and ‘Revenge of the Sith’. Reports at the time framed DiCaprio’s decision as a matter of timing and fit. The conversation never progressed to a deal.

Michael Fassbender

Fassbender confirmed he spoke with J.J. Abrams about a role in ‘The Force Awakens’ but could not make the schedule work. He said he was busy during the period the production was ramping up. The discussion did not proceed to casting. The film moved forward with its ensemble without him.

Gary Oldman

Oldman was lined up to voice General Grievous in ‘Revenge of the Sith’ but exited over union considerations when the production wasn’t under a Screen Actors Guild contract. He had recorded material before stepping away. The character’s voice work was ultimately performed by Matthew Wood. Oldman later explained the decision as adhering to union rules.

Denis Lawson

The original Wedge Antilles actor was asked to return for ‘The Force Awakens’ and turned down the cameo. He later reprised Wedge briefly in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’. Lawson explained that the offered appearance at the time didn’t interest him. The character’s legacy continued in other projects without that sequel cameo.

Joaquin Phoenix

Phoenix was courted for the codebreaker role that became DJ in ‘The Last Jedi’ and passed. Benicio del Toro ultimately played DJ in the finished film. Phoenix’s decision was reported as a straightforward decline after discussions. The part remained a late-breaking addition to the sequel trilogy’s roster.

Michael Kenneth Williams

Williams was cast in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ but had to bow out during reshoots due to scheduling conflicts. The character he played was reworked and ultimately portrayed by Paul Bettany. Williams later described the original iteration as a motion-capture role that couldn’t be completed. His departure prompted the production to adjust the antagonist.

Lindsay Anderson

Filmmaker and actor Lindsay Anderson was approached about playing the Emperor in ‘Return of the Jedi’ and declined. Ian McDiarmid was subsequently cast and has remained the definitive on-screen Palpatine. The outreach to Anderson came during a period of broad casting inquiries for the role. He chose not to join the project.

Yaphet Kotto

Kotto said he turned down Lando Calrissian in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’. Billy Dee Williams was then cast and continued the role across films and animation. Kotto later reflected on his decision in interviews. He had other opportunities at the time and opted out of joining the saga.

Taron Egerton

Egerton revealed he turned down the chance to play young Han Solo in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’. He tested extensively—including costume fittings and time on the Millennium Falcon set—before deciding it wasn’t right for him. Alden Ehrenreich was ultimately cast as Han. Egerton has since talked openly about the near-miss.

Christian Bale

Bale confirmed he was in talks for ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’, specifically the mentor role that became Tobias Beckett, and did not sign on. Woody Harrelson took the part in the finished film. Bale cited long-standing relationships at Lucasfilm and interest in the franchise but said the talks didn’t lead to a deal. The project moved ahead with its ensemble.

David Prowse

Before playing Darth Vader on set, Prowse was also offered Chewbacca and turned it down. He chose Vader because he preferred to portray the villain. The physical performance of Vader became one of his hallmark roles. Chewbacca was played by Peter Mayhew.

Jim Henson

George Lucas approached Henson about performing Yoda, and Henson declined due to other commitments. Henson recommended Frank Oz, who then performed and voiced Yoda. Oz’s work shaped one of the saga’s most enduring characters. Henson’s referral directly influenced the final casting choice.

Rooney Mara

Mara met with Gareth Edwards about the lead in ‘Rogue One’ and opted not to proceed, citing schedule and timing. Felicity Jones was later cast as Jyn Erso. Mara has said she didn’t even read for the part because of existing commitments. Her pass came during a wide-ranging search for the film’s lead.

James Caan

Caan discussed long-running reports that he was approached for Han Solo and indicated he declined, while also jokingly downplaying the situation in later remarks. The Ford casting followed a broad search through many candidates. Caan has mentioned the role in interviews when recalling offers he didn’t pursue. The exact stage of the offer has been a topic of curiosity among fans.

Got other near-misses you’ve heard about? Drop your picks and sources in the comments—let’s compare notes!