Retro-Cast: Casting The Star Wars Original Trilogy In The 1990s
If for whatever reason, George Lucas didn’t have the clout to make the Star Wars trilogy until the 1990s, then the movies might’ve turned out completely differently. Even if the story remained the same, ‘90s filmmaking was so different than ‘70s filmmaking that the look and style of the movies would’ve been totally unique.
For starters, Lucas wouldn’t have been able to cast Mark Hamill or Carrie Fisher or Harrison Ford if he’d made the movies in the ‘90s. The cast would’ve had to be filled with different stars entirely. From Keanu Reeves to Drew Barrymore, these ‘90s actors could’ve changed Star Wars.
10 Keanu Reeves As Luke Skywalker
The ‘90s had its own sci-fi “hero’s journey” about a young man who learns he possesses magical powers and has a special place in a larger world he had no idea existed: The Matrix.
In that movie, the Luke Skywalker role, “Neo,” is filled by Keanu Reeves. If the Star Wars trilogy had been produced in the ‘90s, then the star of Speed and Point Break — who was on top of the world at the time — might’ve received a call.
9 Drew Barrymore As Leia Organa
After getting her big break with the role of Gertie in Steven Spielberg’s E.T., Drew Barrymore became one of the biggest stars in the world throughout the ‘90s. Her cameo appearance in the opening scene of Scream was unforgettable and she became one of Hollywood’s most adored romantic leads with The Wedding Singer and Never Been Kissed.
Barrymore hasn’t played a lot of action-oriented roles, but she has both the dramatic chops and comedic timing to do the role of Leia Organa justice.
8 Brad Pitt As Han Solo
Throughout the 1990s, Brad Pitt became one of Tinseltown's most beloved movie stars with roles in films like Interview with a Vampire and Legends of the Fall, while David Fincher’s Se7en and Fight Club introduced audiences to the actor’s dark side.
Pitt has the roguish charm, comic wit, and cynical edge to play Han Solo effectively. He would go on to demonstrate his action chops with movies like Troy, Snatch, and Spy Game.
7 Morgan Freeman As Obi-Wan Kenobi
After getting his big break in Driving Miss Daisy, Morgan Freeman made a name for himself playing wise older mentor figures throughout the ‘90s, like Detective Somerset in Se7en and Red in The Shawshank Redemption.
The role of Obi-Wan Kenobi requires an actor with enough dramatic range to make long, drawn-out exposition engaging and enough of a badass streak to convincingly take on Darth Vader in lightsaber combat. Freeman has both in spades.
6 Anthony Hopkins As Emperor Palpatine
Anthony Hopkins earned an Academy Award for Best Actor with less than half an hour of screen time in the ‘90s. His performance as the villainous Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs was so chilling and captivating that his Oscar win was a no-brainer.
In a version of the Star Wars trilogy that didn’t get made until the 1990s, Hopkins could’ve given an unforgettable performance as the Emperor.
5 Will Smith As Lando Calrissian
Thanks to his ratings smash The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and franchise-launching hit movies like Bad Boys and Men in Black, the ‘90s turned Will Smith from one of the most popular rappers in the world into one of the most popular actors in the world.
If The Empire Strikes Back didn’t get made until the ‘90s and the producers needed an actor who would leave a lasting impression on fans as Lando Calrissian, then the charismatic Smith could’ve easily taken the job.
4 Kathy Bates As Grand Moff Tarkin
The difference between Peter Cushing’s iconic portrayal of Grand Moff Tarkin and Domhnall Gleeson’s forgettable portrayal of General Hux is that Cushing actually had an intimidating presence in his Imperial role.
Based on her chilling Oscar-winning performance as a terrifyingly cold, callous villain in Misery, Kathy Bates could’ve done a fantastic job with a role like Tarkin.
3 Margaret Cho As Mon Mothma
Mon Mothma isn’t introduced until Return of the Jedi, but as a key figurehead in the Rebellion, she’s a pretty significant character in the larger universe. In the ‘90s, the role could’ve been played by the great Margaret Cho.
After rising to prominence with her groundbreaking sitcom All-American Girl, Cho became one of the biggest comedy stars of the ‘90s. The incisive critique of politics and social issues in Cho’s standup would’ve made her an ideal candidate to play the Rebellion leader.
2 Hugh Grant As C-3PO
Hugh Grant became a huge movie star after establishing his nervous yet charming screen persona in Four Weddings and a Funeral. He went on to refine this persona in subsequent collaborations with Richard Curtis like Notting Hill and Love Actually.
If the Star Wars trilogy didn’t go into pre-production until the ‘90s, Grant could’ve been called on to bring that jittery charisma to a certain gold-plated protocol droid.
1 Arnold Schwarzenegger As Darth Vader
After Terminator 2 reinstated Arnold Schwarzenegger’s A-list star power at the beginning of the ‘90s, he was cast in a bunch of disappointing sci-fi efforts, like The 6th Day, and given a rare villainous role as Mr. Freeze in the notorious Batman & Robin.
It might’ve been the best thing for Schwarzenegger’s career if George Lucas had pushed back the Star Wars trilogy by a couple of decades, because Schwarzenegger could’ve taken the role of Darth Vader and avoided making some of his worst movies.