Leonardo DiCaprio Turned Down Star Wars Prequels Role

Did you know that Leonardo DiCaprio could have been in ‘Star Wars’?

It’s no secret that the ‘Star Wars’ prequels are considered some of the worst films in the galaxy far, far away. Often derided by fans, it looks as though Leonardo DiCaprio dodged a bullet – after all, he almost took the role of Anakin Skywalker.

That’s right – Leonardo DiCaprio was almost a young Darth Vader.

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Of course, Leonardo DiCaprio was rumoured for the role for years.

In fact, The Guardian reported rumours at the time, “that he would like to take the role” but that no offers had been made. And years later, in an interview with Short List, he confirmed that talks had indeed taken place.

But it was DiCaprio who turned the role down.

“I did have a meeting with George Lucas about that as well, yes,” he said. “[I] just didn’t feel ready to take that dive. At that point.”

Of course, by the time casting came around for ‘Attack of the Clones’, DiCaprio was already a household name – hot off the enormous publicity of ‘Titanic’ in 1997. And while the ‘Star Wars’ movies tended to edge towards more unknown actors, it seems that Lucas wanted one of the hottest actors in Hollywood for the role.

And instead, he got Hayden Christensen.

But what if Leonardo DiCaprio had taken the role of Anakin?

It’s an interesting thought… and may well have produced a different kind of prequel trilogy with Leonardo DiCaprio in the leading role. On the other hand, it could also have ruined the young actor’s career. And it might even have led to him losing his roles in the likes of ‘Gangs of New York’, ‘The Departed’, ‘Shutter Island’ and ‘Inception’.

As well as numerous other award-winning and Oscar-nominated roles.

Did Leonardo DiCaprio dodge a bullet, or did he condemn the ‘Star Wars’ prequels?

Unfortunately, we’ll never know… but a ‘Star Wars’ film with DiCaprio in the leading role could well have made all the difference.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ opened in cinemas on 17 December 2015.

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Picture Credit: Lucasfilm.