Charlie Hunnam, the actor widely known for his performances in ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and ‘Sons of Anarchy’ has recently divulged that he was in the running to play Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels. While countless fans of the franchise have grown accustomed to Hayden Christensen’s portrayal of the iconic character, Hunnam’s revelation offers a fascinating look at the alternate paths that could have been taken within the saga’s expansive mythology.
In a recent interview with ET’s Ash Crossan, Hunnam confirmed that he had actually auditioned for the role and was in contention to play Anakin Skywalker. This confirmation puts to rest the long-standing rumor that he was considered for such a pivotal part in the franchise. The fact that he had a one-on-one meeting with none other than George Lucas at the time, speaks to the serious consideration given to his potential casting.
Admitting his nerves during the meeting, Hunnam acknowledged that he felt the awkward vibes and walked away from the encounter with the sense that he hadn’t secured the role. Ultimately, this proved to be true, as the part eventually went to Christensen who splendidly brought the character to life in the prequel trilogy.
Hunnam isn’t the only actor who came close to embodying Anakin. Leonardo DiCaprio had revealed that he met with Lucas at Skywalker Ranch, while Ryan Phillippe, Paul Walker, and Devon Sawa were also high up in consideration for the role. Sawa, in particular, expressed his heartbreak at missing out on the opportunity.
Flash forward to the new decade, and Christensen has reprised his role in Disney+’s ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ series, reuniting with Ewan McGregor. This return to the Star Wars universe has been met with much excitement from fans and cast members alike, signifying the enduring and timeless appeal of the franchise.
While Hunnam may have narrowly missed out on joining the Star Wars universe, he has successfully ventured into the realm of science fiction with his upcoming project ‘Rebel Moon.’ Directed by Zack Snyder, the space opera film is set in a universe threatened by the forces of the Imperium and features an ensemble cast including Sofia Boutella, Michiel Huisman, Djimon Hounsou, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cleopatra Coleman, Jena Malone, Fra Fee, Ed Skrein, and Anthony Hopkins.
The actor highlighted the level of detail and passion evident in the script and spoke about working with Snyder, expressing how much it meant to him to find a director who is both passionate and meticulous about his craft.
‘Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire’ is set to premiere in theaters on December 15th and will subsequently make its streaming debut on Netflix on December 21st. The film is also confirmed to have a sequel, ‘Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver’, with a release date set for April 19, 2024.
