How Close Did Paul Walker Come To Playing Anakin Skywalker?

Publish date: 2024-06-09

As some of the essential film franchises of all time, Star Wars has shown a tremendous quantity of endurance over the years. Sure, different franchises just like the MCU and Harry Potter have been large successes, as well, but there's no denying the significance of Star Wars and its overall have an effect on on pop culture.

During the past due 90s and early 2000s, the prequel trilogy was once all set to get underway, and fanatics had been able to see new and vintage characters come in combination to inform the tale of how the galaxy got here to be in turmoil. A tender Paul Walker was up for a prestigious position, although he ultimately misplaced out on the large performing gig.

Let’s glance again and see what took place.

He Auditioned For The Role Of Anakin

Back as the 90s have been coming to an end, information broke that a new Star Wars trilogy used to be going to be hitting theaters. This used to be a time when Star Wars media used to be not just about as prevalent as it is now, and the hype for the new trilogy used to be through the roof. The trilogy used to be looking to cast someone to play an grownup Anakin Skywalker in Episode II and III, and all through this time, Paul Walker was once up for the function.

Prior to this, Walker had already installed years of labor in the business. The actor if truth be told were given his get started acting professionally again in the 80s, and he would proceed to plug away while in search of the role that may take his profession to another level. Varsity Blues and She’s All That had been two a hit films for Walker that began to show mainstream audiences that he had a ton of big name attainable.

As great as this was, Walker was dealing with some stiff competition for the role. Names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Phillippe have been also in contention for Anakin, which just proves how giant of a deal this function was going to be within the prequel trilogy.

Despite the entirety going proper for Walker during this time, the oldsters making Attack of the Clones wound up discovering the suitable person for the job.

Related: Liam Neeson Still Has His Lightsaber From ‘The Phantom Menace’

Hayden Christensen Gets The Part

Despite being a complete unknown, Hayden Christensen used to be the man who beat out the entire relaxation for the position of Anakin. This was once an enormous win for the young performer, however now not everyone was once satisfied for his luck.

When speaking to TeenMovieline, Walker would say, “I was truly bummed out that I didnt get the a part of Anakin. But there were rumors circulating, so I don’t know how close I came to if truth be told getting it. Josh Jackson was apparently in talks to play Anakin, too. You can’t say the rest, but part of me was once pondering…’You’d better now not get it over me!’ At the same time, you’d feel free if he does get it fairly than Hayden Christensen, some no-namer from Canada.”

Ouch. Clearly, losing out to Christensen was once a sore speaking level for Walker all the way through that point, however he would be just superb after touchdown the position of Brian O’Conner in a bit of movie known as The Fast and the Furious.

Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith each went on to be huge monetary successes on the field place of business, however they also took a thrashing from critics and fanatics. It turns out like no person dislikes Star Wars greater than Star Wars fans, and the prequels lived in infamy for years. However, time has a humorous way of adjusting issues, and a few recent Star Wars news has taken the fandom by means of typhoon.

Related: What John Boyega Has Said About Working On The 'Star Wars' Films

Christensen Will Be Retuning To Star Wars

There isn't any denying that the franchise has had some jarring highs and lows since being acquired by Disney, but one thing that has in reality taken issues to another degree is the good fortune of The Mandalorian. Thanks to this, Disney is bringing a number of recent Star Wars shows alive, together with Obi-Wan Kenobi, which is able to see Christensen go back to the franchise.

Given that the performer has not taken phase in a Star Wars venture since 2005, news of his return used to be met with thunderous applause. He has now not been as energetic in acting in recent years, but returning to play Darth Vader can have a profound affect on him taking extra roles.

If Obi-Wan Kenobi is anything like The Mandalorian in terms of success, then Disney goes to stay lovers flocking to Disney+ and sticking round. It generally is a huge win for the studio and it might be an implausible redemption arc for Hayden Christensen.

Related: How Entertainment Weekly Predicted The Tragic Outcome Of 'Star Wars'

Paul Walker was in rivalry for Anakin Skywalker, and even though he ignored out on an enormous role, things wound up figuring out simply advantageous for all parties concerned.

Next: Star Wars Fans Think Indira Varma Will Play Satine In The Obi-Wan Kenobi Series

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