Title: Almost Anakin: Charlie Hunnam's Unrevealed Star Wars Audition
With the release of "Rebel Moon," starring Charlie Hunnam, the actor is poised to steal the spotlight like never before. But this isn't the first time Hunnam has been in the crosshairs of the sci-fi universe - two decades ago, he almost landed a role in the Star Wars saga.
Breaking the silence on the long-circulating rumors, Hunnam confessed to "Entertainment Tonight" that he had auditioned to play Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones." Hunnam, the Brit, revealed that after landing a role in "Queer as Folk" (1999), he was considered a promising young actor, capturing George Lucas's attention.
Hunnam recalled the encounter with Lucas as an "awkward meeting," feeling that it signaled an end to his chances of earning the coveted role. Reflecting on his pre-"Sons of Anarchy" fame, Hunnam acknowledged that the "vibe" often plays a significant role in casting decisions.
In the same interview, Hunnam mentioned that other actors had also been vying for the role. Rumors of Paul Walker and Ryan Phillippe being in the running were whispered, with Leonardo DiCaprio confirming his interest as early as 2000. Lucas ultimately selected the less experienced Canadian, Hayden Christensen, as the future supervillain Darth Vader.
In "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace," the role of the young Anakin was played by Jake Lloyd (34), who would have been future Darth Vader's alter ego. With Hunnam set to star in "Rebel Moon - Part 1: Child of Fire," debuting on Netflix in December 2023, it's clear that the actor has shaken off the past and proved to be an excellent choice for leading roles.
The casting process for Star Wars is notorious for its secrecy, and the names of other possible contenders for the role keep swaying in the rumor mill. However, Hunnam's audition does shed some light on the intricate selection process that determined who would take on the iconic role of Anakin Skywalker and embody the dark side of the Force.
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- Despite Hunnam's audition, ultimately, George Lucas cast Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, kickstarting the Canadian actor's career in the hit Star Wars franchise.
- While Hunnam was among the rumored contenders for the role of Anakin Skywalker, no specific information confirms his participation in the casting process.
- Hunnam's "awkward meeting" with George Lucas quickly made him doubt his chances of securing the role, recognizing the importance of chemistry and vibe during the mysterious selection process.
Sources:
Enrichment Data: Although Charlie Hunnam was rumored to be in the running for the lead role of Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones," the primary contender was Hayden Christensen, with the specific name of the second contender remaining unmentioned in the sources. Lucas ultimately cast Christensen, leading to his career breakthrough as the iconic Darth Vader.
The casting process for Anakin Skywalker was highly secretive, making it challenging to confirm other names that were in contention for the famous role.
