NSYNC, Michael Jackson and other stars who almost appeared in Star Wars movies
By Dean Mott
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman was considered for Star Wars roles … twice.
And both times, things didn’t quite work out.
The Harry Potter and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy star was in talks to perform voice work as General Grievous for Episode III: Revenge of the Sith in 2004.
The voiceovers would have been recorded after shooting for the movie had already been completed. And given Oldman’s talent, his voice could have brought depth to the movie. But Oldman ended up withdrawing from consideration after he learned the movie didn’t involve Screen Actors Guild representation since it was filmed in Australia and the U.K.
"“We did urge Lucas to ask SAG for special permission for Gary to do the movie, but they became very annoyed and I know they are still annoyed,” Oldman’s manager Doug Urbanski told Variety in 2004. “We’re quite puzzled by the whole thing. But out of respect for and solidarity with the other (SAG) members, he could not and would not consider violating the rules of his union.”"
Matthew Wood, supervising sound editor at Skywalker Sound, got the role instead, and has voiced the evil General Grievous in The Clone Wars and video games.
A decade later, Oldman participated in conversations about appearing in The Force Awakens, but that too fell through.