Who do you think should be the next Luke Skywalker? Any names we missed? Let us know in the comments below.First, we have to acknowledge that Luke Skywalker as we know him is unreplaceable. His story from the moisture farms on Tatooine to blowing up the Death Star or staring down the First Order are just a few parts of what make Luke special, along with his affable character and compassion. Just as Skywalker is unchangeable, so too is the actor who played him, Mark Hamill.
Stepping onto the scene in A New Hope, Hamill’s entire acting career is directly entwined with the character and Star Wars as a whole. And even as he gets older, he continues to represent Luke on and off-screen in new ways like only he can.
But it is also worth pondering a different story. Coming at a perfect time with Marvel’s latest Disney+ series, what if Luke Skywalker had a different backstory? What if he were to be played by a different actor?
There may come a time when Disney wants to bring Luke Skywalker to life again but do it in an entirely different way. It’s not an entirely foreign concept, as we have seen in-universe changes such as the mantle of Captain America shift from Steve Rogers to Sam Wilson, or the more corporeal changes of actors themselves, such as the revolving door of Spider-Man actors between Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield or Tom Holland.
Luke Skywalker could fall in the latter category: an iconic character getting recast to tell his origin story in a new light as part of a new universe. We’re not saying it will happen anytime soon, but if it does, here are the actors that would certainly be up to the task.
25. Tye Sheridan
Tye Sheridan has everything it takes to fill the shoes of a young Luke Skywalker were his tales to be told again. Mark Hamill was 26 years old at A New Hope‘s time of release in 1977 and Sheridan is just 24 years old today. However, Sheridan’s career has gotten off to a much quicker start than Hamill’s did before Star Wars.
Despite being such a young age, Sheridan has already worked on a Best Picture nominee in The Tree of Life along with award-winning films Mud and Joe. All of this foundational work led him into some big franchises. He suited up as Cyclops for 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse. He then carried that role into Dark Phoenix along with bringing Steven Spielberg’s vision of Ready Player One to life as Parzival.
Those last two details translate very strongly into Star Wars. Sheridan understands the experience of working on big-budget films and franchises along with passionate fanbases that have high expectations from them. Thus, he would likely treat the role of Luke Skywalker with that same respect. And, it doesn’t hurt that he has had an encounter with Obi-Wan Kenobi as well with 2015’s Last Days in the Desert.
24. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of the most talented people in Hollywood. Not only is he an actor, but a director, singer and entrepreneur as well. He has done it all from starring in feature films like Inception, Looper or Snowden to writing and directing his own in Don Jon to snatching up Emmys and Critics’ Choice Awards.
All of that being said, there is no doubting that Gordon-Levitt could do a fantastic job as Luke Skywalker. He could both create an enthralling story with the character and portray him as well. He also has the blockbuster experience behind him with the likes of The Dark Knight Rises and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. He has even been in the runnings to play a lead hero before in the likes of Ant-Man. Perhaps Skywalker could be the role for him instead.
It is also worth mentioning that he already has a hand in Star Wars as well. Because of his relationship with director Rian Johnson, Gordon-Levitt lent the voice to Slowen Lo, the create who notified the police of trespassers on the Canto Bight beach in The Last Jedi. And, how about for another coincidence, Mark Hamill himself voiced another patron on Canto Bight named Dobbu Scay. So it feels like a match has already been made between the two.
23. Sterling K. Brown
Brown is an actor that can bring a great level of emotional storytelling to the table. It is an often-forgotten quality to lead characters such as Skywalker, whose personality is just as notable as what he accomplishes. Brown has displayed the ability to accomplish that feat through his work in The People v. O.J. Simpson or as Randall Pearson on This Is Us. Many will also recognize Brown for his appearance in Black Panther and his terse relationship with King T’Chaka.
With his catalog of work only growing over time and a foot already in the door with Disney, Brown took that one step further as the voice of Destin Mattias in Frozen II. Those connections eventually lead back to Star Wars. While much information has not been revealed on it since, Victoria Mahoney, a second unit director on The Rise of Skywalker and the first female director for Star Wars as a whole, will be directing Shadow Force with Brown as the lead alongside Kerry Washington.
Brown is already a staple among Disney fans with a talented resume of work behind him that speaks for itself. Named one of TIME’s most influential people in 2018, there is one quote that says everything you need to know about him, “Every day was like having a front-row seat in a master class on readiness, a meditation on seizing opportunity, but most unexpectedly, on JOY.” It sounds like an apt description of Skywalker himself.
22. Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood could certainly bring a different spin to Luke Skywalker. His path to stardom is also quite different from what Hamill went through, gaining fame as a child actor and positioning himself to enter a massive franchise as Frodo Baggins in Lord of the Rings.
Many outside of the fanbases sometimes find Lord of the Rings and Star Wars quite comparable. And in many ways they are, both fantasy franchises with a knack for deep characters, brilliant worlds and magical storytelling. Therefore, Wood would fit into the galaxy far, far away as he did with Middle-Earth.
Wood, too, has already made a brief appearance in Star Wars. This time, it was on the voice acting side as Jace Rucklin in Star Wars: Resistance. In talking about his role on the show, Wood jokingly referenced his transition from a fan to a part of the franchise. Even though Lord of the Rings came first for him, Wood said, “I still look to Star Wars as the benchmark” when it comes to fandom.
Wood references his brother as the early introduction to Star Wars, saying that it was “in the fabric of my DNA.” He shared all of the things that he felt makes Star Wars special, from its depiction of space and its machines to the characters and the score. Someone who understands the franchise so well could certainly take on its main character.
He also became a bit of a vintage toy collector. And while Boba Fett and IG-88 may have been his favorites, I’m sure there was a Luke Skywalker somewhere in the mix too.
21. Kurt Russell
If there was one name that had to be included on this list, it would be Kurt Russell. That is true because of his dense acting resume, but more so as one of the few actors to have auditioned for the role of Luke Skywalker himself.
Interestingly enough, Kurt Russell’s acting career got its rocket boosters in the 1970s through his relationship with Disney, long before its ties to Star Wars. It is believed that the last thing Walt Disney himself ever wrote was the words “Kurt Russell” on a piece of paper, and the company signed Russell to a decade-long contract from then on, even though he was only a child actor.
One of the roles that got Russell there, however, was ABC’s The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters. It was only a season-long, but the project Russell chose instead of Star Wars, indicating just how uncertain some were about the film’s probability of success. Russell said the following about his audition process back in 2017,
"[I was] interviewing for the part of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. On tape, it exists … I didn’t have any idea what I was talking about. Something about a Death Star and a Millennium Falcon. I was actually pretty [close], in the final running, but I needed to give an answer to ABC to do a western show."
He went on to joke, “Clearly, made the right choice.” And he did, as the rest is history with Russell’s career, but how interesting would it be were he to finally suit up as Skywalker himself.
20. Robert Pattinson
I find Robert Pattinson to be one of the more enticing options on this list. He is an actor who really seems capable of just about anything, finding his footing as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, coming to fame as Edward Cullen in The Twilight series and now taking on the next big franchise in the retelling of Batman. The only saga he is yet to hit is Star Wars.
In many ways, his situation surrounding Batman closely resembles what a reincarnation of Luke Sluwalker could look like. The Batman is being presented as a reboot of the character with a much younger version of him taking the spotlight. He both has to fit the character’s history and add his spin to it at the same time. Pattinson understands the gravity of working with such big fanbases like DC and Twilight but has the ability to meet the expectations.
There was a time when Pattinson stepped away from larger projects after his early days in acting, but that has seemed to change as of late, beginning with The Lighthouse, Tenet and now The Batman. He may currently be locked into a deal with Warner Bros. but Pattinson has everything it takes to jump into the Star Wars universe next as Luke Skywalker.
19. Daniel Kaluuya
I’ll keep this simple here: Daniel Kaluuya is one of my favorite actors in the business. Coming into it later than others, Kaluuya had many promising roles in the early part of the century across television, particularly in England, and as a supporting actor in mainstream works such as Black Mirror and Sicario.
However, many individuals, myself included, were not widely exposed to Kaluuya until 2017’s Get Out. There, he not only earned an Academy Award nomation for Best Actor but blew up as a household name as well. From then on, he appeared in projects such as Black Panther, Queen & Slim and Judas and the Black Messiah. He became the seventh-youngest actor to, this time, win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the latter.
It only feels like a matter of time until Kaluuya makes the jump to the top of a major franchise like Star Wars. And it doesn’t hurt that a good deal of Star Wars filming happens at Pinewood Studios, already located right near his backyard in West London.
18. Wyatt Russell
From one Russell to another, Wyatt Russell burst onto the scene as John Walker in Marvel’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier. It was perhaps the biggest surprise of the series, both in the character’s unique development and the tenacity with which Russell played him.
Walker certainly seems like a far cry from the type of leader Skywalker is expected to be, but the actor can be separated from the motivations of his on-screen compatriot. And, I will say, Russell’s portrayal of Walker reminds me quite a bit of Hamill’s as a distraught Jedi in The Last Jedi.
Regardless, Russell has quickly amassed a legion of roles both small and large in a trend that isn’t too dissimilar from that of his father, Kurt Russell. Perhaps Wyatt can take on the role that his father let go of in what would really be an incredible story. He has already proven he is immensely capable of doing it, and considering his immediate impact on Marvel fans, would likely do the same in Star Wars too.
17. Simu Liu
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is set to be September 2021’s hottest film, and Simu Liu is the man behind Marvel’s latest hero. His journey there is made even more special by its organic origins: a simple tweet Liu sent out to Marvel nearly three years ago now. That little story shows that Liu is ready to take on any task in front of him, even if it may seem out of reach at the time.
Liu has been working toward such a role all along, however. His career began with background credits in big projects such as Pacific Rim and Taken and transitioned to television with the likes of Orphan Black and The Expanse. That small sample size gives a little taste of Liu’s science fiction interest and how it translates on screen.
Now, we’re about to get our first real bite of how Liu will fair as the main man in a major franchise. Considering his deep passion and, like Sterling K. Brown, the joy that he brings to his work, there is little doubt that Liu will do a fantastic job as Shang-Chi. And, perhaps his Kim’s Convenience co-star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee gave an inside scoop on what it’s like to be in Star Wars after his appearance in The Mandalorian.
16. Matt Damon
Another one of my favorites on this list, Matt Damon feels like another actor where no role is too big. He has illustrated the tragedy of World War II through Saving Private Ryan, depicted a competitive feud in Ford v Ferrari, suited up as the assassin Jason Bourne, and most comparably, survived in space as an astronaut both in Interstellar and The Martian. All things considered, Damon has worn a wide range of hats throughout his acting career and worn them all so well too.
He is also someone who understands the film industry inside and out, beginning as an actor at a very young age and pioneering his first project that went viral in Good Will Hunting. Like Luke Skywalker, he comes from humble beginnings in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has only persevered since.
Damon certainly has some form of affinity for Star Wars as well. Back in 2019, he spent a day at the Galaxy’s Edge theme park in what must have felt like a young boy’s dream come true. Speaking to Variety just before The Force Awakens’ release, Damon expressed his anticipation for the film by reflecting on his fandom for the saga, saying,
"Huge fan. Huge fan. I mean the first one, I think my brother saw it 26 times and I saw it 18 times … I just remembered that it was in the theater for months and months and months and if a week would go by and we hadn’t seen it, we’d just go back down and see it again."
Damon went on to explain that he did not have much engagement with the prequel trilogy. The originals are right up his alley, though, making Luke Skywalker a perfect fit for his foray into the Star Wars universe. It is genuinely quite surprising Damon has not cropped up yet, even with a minor cameo, but I certainly wouldn’t complain if it came in a lead role like Skywalker instead.
15. Freddie Highmore
Whereas most actors on this list have prior experience with either physical combat or a large-scale blockbuster, Freddie Highmore may be the only exception. Instead, his filmography consists of a number of diverse projects ranging from frontrunning the brilliant Bates Motel to the critically acclaimed The Good Doctor, for which Highmore earned a Golden Globe nomination as Dr. Shaun Murphy.
I have only seen the opening episode of that series, but it was enough to make Highmore stick out in my mind. He possesses youthful energy that evokes memories of Skywalker in A New Hope, but also the ability to dive much deeper into a character’s mental state, which we have seen before in Return of the Jedi and The Last Jedi. Highmore could bring those types of moments to life but also reveal the inner conflict a Jedi undergoes.
It is something Highmore has witnessed in his life as well. He grew up as a child star yet leaned on his support group and avoids social media to stay grounded ever since. In that same feature, he makes an interesting note of the fact that he took some time to finish school, attend a university and develop the “real-life experience to portray these characters.” Maybe Skywalker could become one of them.
14. Chiwetel Ejiofor
Another British actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor rose to fame with his Academy Award nominations as Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave. Like other articles on his list, his acting resume includes far more than just that, as Ejiofor also played leading roles in Serenity, Kinky Boots, acted alongside Damon in The Martian and made his Disney debut as Karl Mordo in Doctor Strange. He has since gone on to voice Scar in the live-action Lion King and appear in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.
Ejiofor has an impressive film roster and received countless acts of recognition for it. In fact, Ejiofor has even been named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire because of his plentiful contributions to the arts. That journey has been far from easy, however, as Ejiofor suffered tragedy as a child and uncertainty at times as an actor. That was specifically the case for his role as Northup, one that he originally shied away from because of the immense dedication and respect it required.
However, Ejiofor took on the task and did everything in his power to do it justice. It is a testament to how much sincerity Ejiofor brings to the table, something that Skywalker embodies. There was even a time years ago where Ejiofor was rumored to be a part of Star Wars himself. Could he have been just one of countless other actors to receive an audition? Perhaps, but Ejiofor did give one quote to Yahoo! about his potential involvement that indicates something more was at play:
"Who knows? We’ll just have to see. I don’t know is really the only answer I can give you. I’m a huge fan of [the Star Wars] world and JJ, but I don’t know. I can’t tell you."
Ejiofor is fit to provide a unique take on Skywalker already, but it doesn’t hurt being a fan too.
13. Chris Pine
Were Disney looking for a direct recast of Skywalker as is in A New Hope, Chris Pine might be one of the better options in appearance compared to Hamill himself. He also has prior experience embodying an iconic role, suiting up as James Kirk in the Star Trek reboot of the 2010s.
It might be Star Wars’ direct competitor, but in this case, that is a good thing. Pine also has a role in another major franchise as Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman and is even in talks to play the lead in an upcoming Dungeons & Dragons project.
He already has a way into the Star Wars universe too, as Wonder Woman’s director Patty Jenkins helms the forthcoming Rogue Squadron film. Pine is yet to say if he is involved, but did offer some words of excitement on Jenkins’ story:
"I had spoken to her about, not my involvement, but the story. She talked to me about it. It sounds really, really great. But I’m ecstatic for her, excited for what she’s about to embark on. If there’s anyone that can reimagine and breathe fresh new life into it, it’s her."
Regardless, this tells us that a conversation about Star Wars has happened already. If he does not appear in Rogue Squadron, maybe Luke Skywalker could be in his future instead.
12. Dev Patel
Patel is fresh off the critically acclaimed success of David Lowery’s The Green Knight. It is a story that makes me think of a new take on Luke Skywalker. Instead of seeing the hero’s journey to save the galaxy, perhaps we can witness a personal journey of self-discovery just as Sir Gawain underwent in the film.
It is the type of story that resonates most with Patel, similar to George Lucas’ storytelling around Anakin Skywalker. Speaking about his favorite elements of film more broadly, Patel echoes Luke’s story, saying, “I like underdog stories. I like to go and sit in a dark room and watch someone rise through adversity and achieve something which others deem impossible.”
Patel seems like a fantastic option because of that perspective but has also shied away from starring in blockbuster films at times. Many of his recent works have been produced by much smaller companies. That is especially true after 2010s The Last Airbender, which consisted of the green screen work that Patel has come to dislike. The Green Knight shows just how effective practical environments can be.
Star Wars certainly has a lot of animations, but thanks to the introduction of virtual sets used in The Mandalorian, things are becoming more realistic over time. Perhaps Patel is changing his tune as a result of that, as the surprising news recently came out that he once auditioned for Star Wars himself. He didn’t seem to make much of it, but it shows that Patel is slowly opening the door into the Star Wars universe. Maybe he could bust it down as Luke Skywalker.
11. Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan has already taken on a world of roles, whether as the boxer Donnie Creed in the revival of the Rocky franchise or Erik Killmonger, T’Challa’s adversary in Black Panther. Part of the reason Killmonger, and Jordan’s work in Fruitvale Station as Oscar Grant, are so effective is because of his ability to create a relationship with a character on a very personal level.
He brought that attitude and track record into an audition for Star Wars upon its return with The Force Awakens, but it did not go so well. Looking back on the experience, Jordan said the following,
"I think that was probably my worst audition to date … I think it was I couldn’t wrap my brain around some of the sides because you know when you’re reading for these high-level projects, there’s never really any specificity in the sides. Everything’s like super vague; everything is in secret. Reading through, I just couldn’t connect it. I definitely bombed that one for sure."
Playing a character as iconic as Luke Skywalker could certainly remove some of that secrecy, though Jordan would likely have a new take on him. You’d like to think Jordan has built up enough of a resume for Disney to put that one audition in the rearview mirror as well. And there’s a good chance that if Ryan Coogler becomes involved in Star Wars, Jordan would follow suit.
10. Christian Bale
If Disney wanted to make waves with an actor, Christian Bale would be the move. He may look more Qui-Gon Jinn or Anakin Skywalker than Luke, but knowing the incredible lengths Bale has gone to adopt roles in the past, I have no doubt he would do the same for Skywalker.
I say that because Bale has already played the Dark Knight himself, and done an incredible job of it, along with the politician Dick Cheney in The Vice and, like Jordan, the boxer Dicky Eklund for 2010s The Fighter. He is next set to play Gorr the God Butcher in Taiki Waititi’s fascinating Thor: Love and Thunder.
I referenced Anakin Skywalker earlier because that was, in fact, a role Bale is rumored to have pursued. Around 26-years-old at the time of Attack of the Clones, Bale may have been a tad older than what Lucas envisioned for the character. However, an article from The Guardian at the time listed him as the director’s top choice. Bale hinted at the time that he was close to signing onto a major project, but said nothing more on the matter since.
Bale was also in the running to take on the role of Tobias Beckett in Solo: A Star Wars Story, something that does not seem like the right fit in hindsight. However, it is the latest example of Bale being in conversation with Star Wars, hopefully meaning it is just a matter of time until he signs on for a lead role like Luke Skywalker.
9. Lakeith Stanfield
This was a tough list to make because of the number of terrific actors that could have been on it, but one that I knew would be from the start is Lakeith Stanfield. It seems that every film he is a part of — Selma, Uncut Gems, Knives Out or alongside others on this list in Snowden and Get Out — turns out to be a critical success. The one caveat is that he has found a niche as a supporting actor, with Sorry to Bother You one of few exceptions. That, too, was a hit.
In looking across films, there is a common thread in Stanfield’s work. He takes on multi-dimensional characters, some ingrained in history, and brings nuance and mystery to them. Part of that stems from his past, where he worked odd jobs in hopes of keeping his acting career alive, and it is the range of experiences that have come to shape his on-screen acting today.
Star Wars would be quite a significant spotlight for Stanfield, but he seems to be slowly working toward it. The first step to joining Star Wars comes through Disney, and Stanfield will reportedly make his debut there with Tiffany Haddish in The Haunted Mansion.
8. John David Washington
Another actor following in his father’s footsteps, John David Washington has suddenly emerged as one of the most desirable in Hollywood. A football player growing up, Washington shifted into acting with the HBO series Ballers and then to the big screen as Ron Stallworth in BlacKkKlansman and the unnamed protagonist in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet.
Despite being 37-years-old, it feels like Washington’s career is only in its infancy, and he has proven quite a bit in such a short amount of time. Coincidently enough, his next project is True Love, as he’ll work alongside Rogue One‘s writer/director Gareth Edwards and co-producer Kiri Hart.
With the athletic background behind him, Washington is undoubtedly geared up for the physicality being a Jedi presents. Tenet was a great predecessor for it as well, with the time inversion component requiring some unnatural body movements that could have him deflecting blaster bolts or spinning in a starfighter in no time.
7. Henry Golding
Henry Golding has “only” been acting for a little over a decade, but like Washington, built quite a resume in that time. His first major role was as Nick Young in Crazy Rich Asians, and he has since starred in A Simple Favor, The Gentlemen, and most recently, helmed the revival of the G.I. Joe franchise as Snake Eyes.
That last project is only part of what makes Golding a great fit for Star Wars. Not only does it show his ability to lead a major film franchise, but it requires preparation similar to what one would have to take on for Luke Skywalker. Many will remember that a lot of Lucas’ original inspiration for Star Wars came from ancient Japanese fighting, something that Golding embraced for Snake Eyes.
Speaking on his approach to the film, Golding said,
"You really have to commit because there’s so much on the line. We wanted to see the actors doing the sequences. There’s none of this flourishing swords, waving it around in the air. The movements are so acute and so efficient — the way it should be, especially in the world of samurais and ninjas."
It is the type of physical work that Golding has always appreciated, and he is especially fond of the hand-to-hand combat that other styles of action lack. He also specifically mentions the fact that the action is always justified, something that the Jedi believe in themselves. On top of all that, Golding acknowledges that beyond action, it is the character that lies at the heart of any story. Now all he has to do is replace the sword with a lightsaber.
6. Ryan Gosling
We may all recognize Ryan Gosling today as the award-winning actor from The Notebook, La La Land orThe Big Short. However, well before that, he made his acting debut in Disney’s The Mickey Mouse Club, and it would be an incredible story to go from those early days to the Star Wars galaxy.
In many ways, though, Star Wars feels like a film right in Gosling’s wheelhouse. He has already gone to space with First Man and might be going again as the star of Project Hail Mary, but also taken on a science fiction universe in Blade Runner 2049. He has both the technical expertise to survive in the stars but also knows how to deliver when continuing a familiar story.
Gosling has an impressive record of films to his name and has constantly shown a dedication to the roles in front of him. Therefore, it is no surprise that his name was another mentioned in the Star Wars rumor mill, and interestingly enough, it was as Luke Skywalker’s son in The Force Awakens.
Of course, there turned to be no verity to those rumors whatsoever, but it indicates that some are already looking to draw ties between Gosling and Skywalker. Maybe the two will one day become one and the same.
5. Daniel Radcliffe
I don’t think it’s a stretch to call Daniel Radcliffe one of the most talented actors of our time. For some, fame at such a young age can be traumatizing, especially when it takes up such a significant portion of one’s life as it did for Radcliffe and seven films as Harry Potter. However, Radcliffe took on that role and has never regressed since. In fact, he has grown in numerous ways as a performer. I say performer because Radcliffe is not only a fixture in movies like Swiss Army Man or the television show, Miracle Workers, but a figurehead in stage acting as well.
He began to take on stage productions as early as 2007, going on to appear across West End in his hometown of London or on Broadway in New York. It is especially relevant for Star Wars as not only does a theatre background help, but it imagines a scenario where Star Wars evolves into a play itself. It’s something that may sound incredulous to some but I’ve always thought it possible myself.
It’s understandable that Radcliffe hasn’t worked on many blockbuster films since starring in Harry Potter, but there could be a great opportunity for a Star Wars spinoff similar to Obi-Wan Kenobi. In fact, one of the actors working on that project, Indira Varma, referred to the production of it as comparable to an independent film. With a situation like that and Radcliffe’s acting prowess, Luke Skywalker could be an ideal character for him.
4. Timothée Chalamet
We’ve imagined many different versions of Luke Skywalker so far and the stories that could be retold with him, but if Disney were looking for a young actor and a fresh start, Timothée Chalamet would be a leading candidate. As a young actor, he has already amassed a reputation with projects such as Homeland and Lady Bird, even earning an Academy Award nomination for his work in Call Me by Your Name. Next, Chalamet will make the step up to the blockbuster stage with Dennis Villeneuve’s Dune.
Dune is in many ways both a reflection of and a precursor to Star Wars. On the surface, the 1966 novel is a fantastical science fiction tale, but it is also a much deeper introspection of the world and the politics and individuals that constitute it. Because of that, it has been notoriously difficult to emulate in live-action, and Chalamet will be the latest to take a stab at it as leading man Paul Atreides.
There is reason to believe Chalamet will deliver on the film’s massive expectations, however, because of what he has already proven. And if he can confidently take on a task as large as Dune, he could likely do the same with Luke Skywalker as well.
On an aside, it is worth noting Chalamet’s sense of style, an often-forgotten element of being a Jedi. Chalamet was named GQ’s 2020 best-dressed man in the world and has been routinely cited as a fashion influence. It’d be interesting to see what he could do with Jedi robes.
3. Mahershala Ali
Not to be biased here, but Mahershala Ali is another one of my favorite actors working today. And how could he not be, with a career dating all the way back to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and the Hunger Games and advancing to his award-winning work on Moonlight and Green Book.
He has both thrived in leading roles, becoming the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar, and shined as a supporting actor, grabbing Primetime Emmy Awards for his characters on True Detective and Ramy. Simply put, he is a powerhouse of an actor.
Even at his age, though, Ali still has much left to accomplish. His next task will be bringing an iconic character back to the big screen in Blade. It’s a character with so much depth that has shown in many different lights. Stacy Osei-Kuffour, just after working on another of pop culture’s most iconic stories, Watchmen, will be tasked with penning the latest iteration of it.
Regardless of where the story goes, Ali will bring a terrific level of nuance to it, something we have already seen with his work as Cottonmouth in Luke Cage. Blade deserves that as a character, a vampire hunter with his own agenda in mind who has expressed a willingness to work toward the greater good. That complexity could also exist within Luke Skywalker, whether facing the temptations of the Empire or turning away from the Jedi order after mistraining one of its own.
There’s been a common thread of Marvel actors on this list, and with Ali entering that cinematic universe and Kevin Feige soon doing the same to Star Wars, it seems like only a matter of time until the two franchises combine.
2. Max Lloyd-Jones
While many not recognize the name, they certainly will see the resemblance between Lloyd-Jones and Luke Skywalker. That is because he was the one who orchestrated Skywalker’s return in The Mandalorian. To be more precise, Mark Hamill lent the voice to Skywalker, but Jones and a touch of CGI made Skywalker look just like his former self.
It isn’t the first time Disney has taken this approach, as Guy Henry provided the motion capture for Grand Moff Tarkin and Ingvlid Delia did the same in Rogue One. Some are not a fan of this approach, but I have found the results to be quite remarkable. One way of removing the uncanny value issue, however, is by simply letting new actors play the characters themselves. There are very few better physical matches than Lloyd-Jones.
At the same time, there was certainly a reason Disney choose him for the role in the first place. It demands not just a recognizable face but a talented actor behind it too. Could they be preparing fans for the next Skywalker? Perhaps, and Lloyd-Jones fits the bill there, as despite not necessarily being a popular name, he was worked on films like War for the Planet of the Apes and numerous television series including Switched at Birth and When Calls the Heart.
It would be quite a significant leap for him to become Luke Skywalker. Then again, that is how it was for Hamill in the first place. Lloyd-Jones stepped into the role for the first time in a major way with The Mandalorian and I’d love to see what he could do with the opportunity to take that one step further.
1. Sebastian Stan
This had to be obvious from the start. We’ve all seen the fan art and side-by-side images of Sebastian Stan and Mark Hamill that I still don’t quite know if it is Photoshopped or not. Now, fans are resorting to new pieces of concept art and deepfake videos to show just how similar the two actors are. If anyone is to play Luke Skywalker as we know him, Sebastian Stan seems like the only option.
To add fuel to the fire, fans aren’t the only ones making these types of comparisons either. Knowing that the role will eventually be recast, Hamill took to Twitter three years back to share who he might envision as the actor fit for the job. He first mentioned Jacob Tremblay, the fantastic young actor best known for Wonder who was just a tad too young to make the list after serious consideration. He then went on to mention Stan after another fan’s reply, writing, “Sebastian doesn’t need my stamp of approval! He’s a wonderful actor & is never less than great in everything he does. #HamTheStanFan.”
When it comes to Stan’s thoughts himself, he is yet to shoot down the concept, too. On Good Morning America earlier this year, Stan discussed the rumors but made it clear that nothing has even been discussed yet, saying, “If Mark Hamill calls me personally to tell me that he feels inclined to share this role with me, then I’ll believe it. Until then, I won’t believe it.”
We’ve already seen the impact Stan can have on a fanbase as the Winter Soldier. With him and even Hamill on board, there is only one thing standing in the way of making this casting happen. Your move, Disney. Though there are at least 24 other actors that could be fantastic options too.
Who would you like to see play Luke Skywalker next? Let us know in the comments!