Dork Side of the Force
Fansided

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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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 13: Special Guest Kurt Russell attends the screening of ‘Escape from New York’ at the 2019 TCM 10th Annual Classic Film Festival on April 13, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 13: Special Guest Kurt Russell attends the screening of ‘Escape from New York’ at the 2019 TCM 10th Annual Classic Film Festival on April 13, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM) /

28. Han Solo, Luke Skywalker (Kurt Russell) 

During George Lucas’ search for the perfect fit for his characters, he had Kurt Russell in his crosshairs for not one, but two roles in the film. Russell was in consideration for both Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, but ultimately George Lucas went in a different direction. You can actually watch his audition tape on YouTube, which he’s referenced in a number of discussions about his audition process.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Russell admitted that he has no regrets about not being cast in the Star Wars franchise. “I was actually pretty [close], in the final running, but I needed to give an answer to ABC to do a western show. I asked George, ‘Do you think you’re gonna use me?’ He said, ‘I don’t know if I want to put you with him, or those two guys together.’ I got to go to work, so I did the western. Clearly, [I] made the right choice.” Though the western series Quest was short-lived at ABC.

Kurt Russell already had a very successful career leading up to his audition for Star Wars and has gone on to appear in notable roles in a long list of films and television series.

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