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Leonardo DiCaprio, Heath Ledger, and 4 other actors who almost played Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars

By Natalie Zamora

US actor Leonardo DiCaprio arrives for the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2020. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
US actor Leonardo DiCaprio arrives for the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2020. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Heath Ledger almost played Anakin
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 19: Actor Heath Ledger during a press conference to promote his new film ‘A Knight’s Tale’ at the Hyde Park Barracks on April 19, 2001 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Peter Carrette Archive/Getty Images) /

Heath Ledger almost played Anakin Skywalker

Though Lucasfilm has never confirmed this and neither did the actor, the late and great Heath Ledger was said to have been considered for the role of Anakin Skywalker. Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ledger was on his way to becoming a bonafide A-lister, having starred in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) and A Knight’s Tale (2001).

There’s no doubt Ledger could’ve made an awesome Anakin, especially as we saw how well he embraced the dark side with his outstanding performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008). The role ultimately awarded him a posthumous Academy Award.

Christian Bale almost played Anakin Skywalker
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 04: Christian Bale attends the Premiere Of FOX’s “Ford V Ferrari” at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 04, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) /

Christian Bale was considered for two Star Wars roles

Arguably the most talented actor out there today, Christian Bale was reportedly considered for two different roles in Star Wars: Anakin Skywalker and Tobias Beckett, the latter of which went to Woody Harrelson.

The Academy Award winner has never confirmed or denied these rumors, and in fact, acted rather coy about the possibility of joining the prequel trilogy back in 2000. When promoting his film American Psycho (2000), the star teased a new project he was signed on for, and when asked directly whether or not it was Star Wars, Bale reportedly said: “You wouldn’t have heard that from me. My lips are sealed.”

Obviously, if he did sign on to portray Anakin Skywalker, it ultimately didn’t work out. If you now wish you could see what a young heartthrob Bale would look like as the Star Wars character, check out this fun Deepfake video here.

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