Dork Side of the Force
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Star Wars: Recasting the original and prequel trilogies for the 2020s

By Patches Chance

Brie Larson/Will Smith/Tom Holland. Composite: Dork Side of the Force.
Brie Larson/Will Smith/Tom Holland. Composite: Dork Side of the Force. /
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It was over four decades ago that Star Wars debuted in theaters and changed the course of film and pop culture history. At the time, there were some daring and iconic choices made for the budding franchise.

The original trio of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo went to three actors with varying pedigrees and proven work at that point in their careers. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford are all undeniable legends today, both because of their work on Star Wars and elsewhere.

The voice of Darth Vader was done by James Earl Jones, who was a veteran of Broadway at the time but had also earned himself a Primetime Emmy Award nomination as early as 1963 for his guest role on East Side/West Side. Meanwhile, Frank Oz carried his puppeteering skill from The Muppets on set to bring Jedi Master Yoda to life.

Were Star Wars redone today, the original trilogy and prequel trilogy could look drastically different. Here, we’ll step towards the present and see which 25 actors of today might portray the roles we remember from Star Wars.

There are a few that might seem doubled up, as the roles of Darth Vader (original trilogy) and Anakin Skywalker (prequel trilogy) were split up. The same is true of Ben Kenobi (original trilogy) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (prequel trilogy), with different names of today recast in two different versions of that character. Without further ado, there’s only one place to begin…

HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Tom Holland arrives for Premiere Of Disney And Pixar’s “Onward” held at the El Capitan Theatre on February 18, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Tom Holland arrives for Premiere Of Disney And Pixar’s “Onward” held at the El Capitan Theatre on February 18, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images) /

1. Tom Holland as Luke Skywalker

Mark Hamill was in his mid-20s with a career that primarily included brief sitcom appearances and a recurring role on General Hospital when he was cast as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars. While Tom Holland is far more established as a mainstream star today, largely for his role as Spider-Man in multiple films, he’s not far off in age from Hamill when he was chosen to embody Skywalker.

There’s a youthful enthusiasm, innocence, and determination that truly make Luke Skywalker shine as a character. Those were the aspects that Mark Hamill was able to bring to life, and they’re the same ones Holland could embody.

From his acting chops to his hilariously candid moments accidentally giving away spoilers for Avengers films, Tom Holland has an endearing quality to him and a natural charisma. If Star Wars were recast today, Holland would be the perfect Luke.

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