The appearances by Samuel L. Jackson and Liam Neeson in the prequels got me wondering what other high profile actors would flourish in a Galaxy far, far away. This list features some of my best pitches for the actors best suited to roles.
5. Robert Downey Jr.
Role: Jedi
Lightsaber Color: Iron Man Yellow
Potential Quote: "They say the best weapon is the one you never have to fire. I respectfully disagree. I say the best weapon is the one you only have to light up once. That's the way my master did it, that's how the Jedi council does it, and it's worked out pretty well so far."
The only thing keeping me from saying give him the red lightsaber was Patton Oswalt's explanation as to why Luke should have it. Matter of fact, most of this inspiration spurred fromwhen he mentioned Tony Stark entering the Star Wars universe. We all love him as Iron Man, so making him a no frills bad ass Jedi would be no stretch of the imagination, and awesome for all fans around.
4. Simon Pegg
Role: Imperial Officer
Potential: Hopefully somewhat more useful than past officers.
Potential Quote: *Sees Approaching Missile To Star Destroyer* "F*** A DOODLE DOO!"
Okay I wouldn't really want Pegg to say that in a Star Wars film, but it would be pretty funny if he did. Pegg would be great for an appearance in the new saga in general, but as a villain I think he would be incredible. It would be a role we have yet to see for the actor and one that I wouldn't see as unrewarding to a filmgoing audience. You could even make him the traitor or double agent type and make for a pretty solid twist. Plus he just looks like an imperial officer right?!
3. Zach Galifianakis
Role: Comic relief in the form of some alien or Droid.
Race: Anything but Gungan
Potential Quote:
ZG:"You shouldn't have docked here..."
Jedi: "Why is that?"
ZG: "I'm not supposed to be within 2 parsecs of a Toshi station...or a Cantina bar."
Humor has always been an element in the Star Wars series, but the key is not to overdo it. C-3PO was a solid go-to for the original movies, and Jar-Jar Binks was over-doing it to the max. The idea of Jar Jar wasn't all that bad...just executed horribly and not the desired effect that everyone wanted. You remedy this by actually putting a funny person in for the role of comic relief. This allows for improvisation and hilarious moments that writers who are too bogged down by the weight of writing the world's next greatest sci-fi trilogy cannot be bothered with. Some fans might say leave the humor out completely, but I think it's necessary. Make the whole thing incredibly serious and you risk making it corny and laughable.
2. Garrett Hedlund
Role: Bounty Hunter
Demeanor: Cocky And Arrogant...but later develops and redeems himself (that's his wheelhouse)
Potential Quote: "You're acting like I'm just going to find him sitting on a stump in Dagobah, just 'Hey man! Lost track of time!"
You were expecting Joseph Gordon Levitt? Not today. Hedlund fits the Star Wars role for me more than the latter any day of the week. His type fits the Han Solo role pretty well, and if there was one guy I'd see stepping in for Harrison Ford, it'd be him. Hedlund would also make a solid love interest for who I'm crossing my fingers for as the ultimate choice for a central character in the series...
1. Jennifer Lawrence
Role: The Chosen Jedi
Lightsaber Color: Silver
Potential Quote: *Room full off bad guys* "There's 24 of us...(lightsaber on) and only I'm coming out."
Oscar winner. Young heartthrob. Looks like a combination of Ford and Fischer. There's not much else you can say other than a strong female lead would be a revolutionary move for the Star Wars universe and she would be a damn good person to do it with. The age difference between her and Hamill would fit the mentor role quite well, and the whole movie could basically write itself. This, if ever there was a wish, is my dream actress to be in the movie. She would be fantastic, and fans would love it. End of story.