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

Dream casting the Star Wars saga: Patton Oswalt as Jek Porkins

Jek Porkins is a fat X-Wing pilot who died during the assault on the Death Star in Star Wars. If that seems like a blunt way to put it, I would point out that George Lucas named the character Jek Porkins. I don’t know if he named him that to make fun of the character’s weight or if the casting director purposely cast an obese actor in the part after hearing the name, but someone somewhere along the production cycle was being cheeky.

Patton Oswalt would be a fine choice to play Porkins in a remake.

More seriously, I think Oswalt would be flattered to be offered the role. He’s a self-professed Star Wars nerd from way back, and I’m sure he’d do his utmost to honor the character. After all, even though Porkins mainly comes up as a punchline in discussions about Star Wars, what happens to him is serious. He dies in the line of duty while trying to destroy the Death Star, and his death scene deserves to be treated with respect.

Now, with the serious stuff out of the way, please enjoy Patton Oswalt ad-libbing about Star Wars for eight minutes straight on Parks and Recreation.

Next: One smooth-talking smuggler