What if the Star Wars Expanded Universe stories, now known as Legends, were made into movies? Who would you cast as your favorite EU characters?
We’ve got a list of ten popular Star Wars Expanded Universe characters, along with the actor or actress who we think would fit them to a “T.” Everyone has different fan casts, though, so let us know in the comments what you think of ours and who you’d like to see portray the following characters on-screen. Let’s start with a character who may soon become official canon, on television if not in film.
1. Benedict Cumberbatch as Grand Admiral Thrawn
via EW
Cold, cunning, in possession of a genius mind, with a deep appreciation for art, Thrawn is the epitome of cultured Imperial officer; and let’s be honest, no one does cultured bad guy than the British (it’s their accent). Grand Admiral Thrawn is also, at his basic level, a Star Wars incarnation of Sherlock Holmes, and since Benedict Cumberbatch plays Sherlock in the BBC version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s story, it’s a no-brainer: he would be perfect as the blue-skinned Chiss made popular by Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire trilogy.
Next: 2. Mara Jade, Servant of the Emperor
2. Julianne Moore as Mara Jade
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 11: Actress Julianne Moore attends the ‘Cafe Society’ premiere and the Opening Night Gala during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
What I like about Julianne Moore as Mara Jade, from a pure physical perspective, is how high her cheekbones and how deep-set her eyes are. Mara Jade is a character fraught with conflict, from the moment her future husband Luke Skywalker meets her to the very end of her life when her own nephew slays her in combat. But she’s also tough and hard, and it’s important for her face to be able to encapsulate all of those emotions.
Aside from her physical features being perfect for Mara (including red hair, which is a must-have for Mara), Moore is a terrific and experienced actress, and is also the right age to play the wife of Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker. If only she had been able to collaborate with Disney on a Star Wars project, but who knows? Whether she plays a canon version of Mara Jade or someone totally different, she’d be amazing.
Next: 3. Talon Karrde
3. Jason Momoa as Talon Karrde
Yes, that is Aquaman from the new Justice League movie you see above, but see how much he looks like Talon Karrde? Check out a comic book drawing of Karrde below, and you’ll see what I mean.
Uncanny, isn’t it? A bit of a trim and Aquaman, or rather Jason Momoa, would look exactly like the last character to round out the trifecta of Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire original cast. A savvy businessman (a smuggler is a businessman, right?) loyal to his friends, Karrde was the first to discover what would later become a major plot point for Thrawn, Mara, and the rest of the characters in Heir to the Empire: the Force-repellent ysalimiri. No Legends-to-film adaptation would be complete without him.
Next: 4. Jacen Solo/ Darth Caedus
4. Taron Egerton as Jacen Solo/Darth Caedus
MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 18: Taron Egerton attends ‘Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman And Director Dexter Fletcher make appearance at Slam Miami Charter School in Miami’ on February 18, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for 20th Century Fox)
Taron Egerton (Kingsman) was rumored to be in the running for the role of young Han Solo in the upcoming standalone Star Wars film. Alden Ehrenreich got the role instead, but that doesn’t mean Taron couldn’t play a similar role, like Han Solo’s son. He’s got a rugged look, and a face capable of conveying a wellspring of emotions. (Speaking of his face, he’s kinda hot, too. He’d make a perfect Solo/Skywalker child.)
Next: 5. Jaina Solo
5. Elizabeth Gillies as Jaina Solo
image via Matt Sayles
Elizabeth Gillies is mainly known for starring as a main character in Victorious and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll. She’s also made herself a career as a singer. But let’s take a look at an illustration of Jain Solo, on which I largely based my pick of Elizabeth for this role.
Maybe a little less eyeliner on Elizabeth’s part and some darker contacts, and I think the similarity is pretty spot on. Her face shape and skin tone even remind me of Princess Leia in the original trilogy. Taron looks like the father, and Elizabeth looks like the mother, and the result looks like a good match.
Next: 6. Anakin Solo
6. Asa Butterfield as Anakin Solo
Asa Butterfield has these incredible big blue eyes that just bespeak innocence, which is what you want of Anakin Solo. Anakin was the Solo child who died during the war with the Yuuzhan Vong, and it affected all of his family members greatly. It may even have been a contributing factor to Jacen’s turn to the dark side. He’s the kind of character who needs to strike a chord with the audience right away, because he won’t be on-screen for long. Asa would do that job well.
Next: 7. Ben Skywalker
7. Ty Simpkins as Ben Skywalker
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Actor Ty Simpkins attends the premiere of Marvel’s ‘Captain America: Civil War’ at Dolby Theatre on April 12, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Simpkins reminds me of Revenge of the Sith Anakin in the above photo. He really rocks the disheveled Skywalker look and Luke’s farmboy charm, and is still young enough to look innocent, which is important for Ben since he’s younger than Jacen and Jaina.
Next: 8. Darth Bane
8. Gerard Butler as Darth Bane
Moving on from the Skywalker clan, it’s time to turn to darker Legend roles. The photo above is from the film 300, but it’s easy to imagine the image Butler carries across – a dark, determined, damaged warrior – as being the infamous Darth Bane’s. Technically, Bane is already canon thanks to The Clone Wars. In the show, however, he was voiced by Mark Hamill, and Hamill portraying Bane just wouldn’t be possible in a big screen setting. But Butler, I think, could pull off the muscle-bound, bald-headed, dark eye makeup look Bane is famous on his book covers for.
Next: 9. Natasi Daala
9. Kristen Stewart as Natasi Daala
Beautiful, cunning, yet thwarted by the rebels at every turn, Natasi Daala is nonetheless a fixture in the Star Wars legends, first as Tarkin’s lover continuing his legacy following his death, then as a thorn in the side of the New Republic. Kristen Stewart is perhaps a little young for the role of Daala, but Daala’s age and place in time could easily be changed to accommodate her proximity in age to the other young actors and actress we’ve listed here. I think a villain would be a nice change for her from her roles in previous films, which include award-winning dramas and, of course, the infamous Twilight series (in her defense, the character of Bella didn’t give her much to work with).
Next: 10. Darth Plagueis
10. Andy Serkis as Darth Plagueis
No, I’m not saying Supreme Leader Snoke from The Force Awakens is Darth Plagueis. What I’m saying is, there really is no better actor for the job. Plagueis, in Legends, was a Muun, a species that is nigh impossible to render on-screen without the use of CGI. Andy Serkis is the master of motion capture and creating incredible performances that translate seamlessly into computer animated creatures. It’s a no-brainer; even if the Legends had been turned into films instead of creating a whole new story, Serkis was just meant to be in Star Wars. And who knows, maybe we’ll see Plagueis the Wise sometime down the road in a spinoff movie.
Next: Leaked Rogue One Visual Guide Reveals Character Names
What do you think of our fan casting? Is there another character from Legends you’d like to see brought to life on the big screen? Who would you choose to play Thrawn, Jacen, Jaina, and the others? Talk to us in the comments below.