50 Roles for 50 Actors: Dream casting the Star Wars saga

Dream casting the Star Wars saga: Denzel Washington as Mace Windu

If I had to guess, I’d say that there was probably a lot of interest from big-name actors back when the Star Wars prequels were first in development. These movies weren’t just going to be huge blockbusters—they were the continuation of a series on which a lot of Hollywood’s brightest had grown up.

Outside of the main roles, however, the producers avoided casting major actors. They didn’t make a well-known action star Jango Fett. Meryl Streep didn’t play Shmi Skywalker. One of the exceptions was Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu. He played the part well enough, but it was odd seeing him as a calm Jedi Master after watching his explosive turns in movies like Pulp Fiction and Jackie Brown.

If the producers of a remake want to cast another big name in the role, they might consider someone like Denzel Washington, who offers all the star power of a Sam Jackson without being so closely associated with fiery vulgarity. Washington has the charisma (Philadelphia), intensity (Training Day), experience, and skills to do right by this part. True, he’s a little older than Jackson was when he filmed The Phantom Menace, but an actor of Washington’s caliber should have no problem selling it.

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