Who Was the Guy Who Was Almost Anakin Skywalker?

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Anakin and Padme

Anakin Skywalker, the tragic protagonist of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, was portrayed on screen by Hayden Christensen. However, many fans don’t know that another actor was initially offered the role of the future Darth Vader: Leonardo DiCaprio.

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Who was almost cast as Anakin Skywalker?Leonardo DiCaprio was almost cast as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. He was offered the role, but ultimately turned it down. The reasons for his decision are unclear, but some speculate that he didn’t want to be tied down to a multi-picture deal or that he wasn’t interested in a role that required so much CGI. Hayden Christensen eventually won the role, and brought a brooding intensity to the character that was crucial to the arc of his eventual transformation into Darth Vader.

The Story

The story goes that after George Lucas had finished writing the script for the Star Wars prequels, he was looking for an actor to portray the young Anakin Skywalker. DiCaprio, who was already an established Hollywood star at the time, caught Lucas’ eye.

According to reports, DiCaprio was offered the role of Anakin, but he ultimately turned it down. The reasons for his decision are unclear, but some speculate that he didn’t want to be tied down to a multi-picture deal or that he wasn’t interested in a role that required so much CGI.

DiCaprio’s Career

Leonardo DiCaprio’s decision to turn down the role of Anakin Skywalker clearly hasn’t hurt his career in any way. He went on to star in several blockbuster films, including Titanic, Gangs of New York, and The Departed.

In fact, it’s hard to imagine what the Star Wars prequels would have looked like with DiCaprio as Anakin. Hayden Christensen, who eventually won the role, brought a brooding intensity to the character that was crucial to the arc of his eventual transformation into Darth Vader.

The Short Answer

While it’s interesting to speculate about what might have been, we can only imagine what a Star Wars prequel trilogy with Leonardo DiCaprio as Anakin Skywalker would have looked like. Regardless, the trilogy we did get, with Hayden Christensen in the lead role, remains a beloved and essential part of the Star Wars saga.

Image: Star Wars

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