Dork Side of the Force
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30 iconic Star Wars roles that almost went to different actors

By Maggie Lovitt

Joaquin Phoenix, Elizabeth Olsen and Tessa Thompson. Composite: Dork Side of the Force.
Joaquin Phoenix, Elizabeth Olsen and Tessa Thompson. Composite: Dork Side of the Force. /
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 24: Actor Joseph Fiennes attends SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations: “The Handmaids Tale” at SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center on July 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Eisman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 24: Actor Joseph Fiennes attends SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations: “The Handmaids Tale” at SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center on July 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Eisman/Getty Images) /

22. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Joseph Fiennes)

Earlier in the article when we had you thinking about popular actors in the mid-90s and early 2000s, this actor probably didn’t pop into your mind. At the time he had only done a few minor roles and hadn’t yet portrayed the bard in the award-winning Shakespeare in Love.

During an interview with The Wrap, Joseph Fiennes told the interviewer a memorable audition story, “I auditioned for a great director. It was whittled down after many auditions to myself and another fine actor who I was at that time at drama school with.” Per the interviewer, Fiennes allegedly waved his hands around like he was holding a lightsaber — a major clue for what he was auditioning for.

Fiennes also revealed that during an audition with George Lucas and Casting Director Robin Gurland he was introduced to someone’s daughter. “[He introduced me as] ‘this is Joe and he’s quite possibly Obi-Wan Kenobi.’ His daughter turned around and said ‘I don’t like this guy. He’s weird. I don’t like him.’ And that’s how my audition went.” That is certainly rough.

The Wrap did confirm that the “fine actor” that Fiennes had attended drama school with was, in fact, Ewan McGregor.

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