Retro-Cast: Casting The Star Wars Original Trilogy In The 2000s

The original Star Wars trilogy will always be the most iconic movies in the entire franchise, and this has caused some to wonder what a remake of these films would look like. Choosing the correct actors would be necessary to getting such an ambitious project right, and the early 2000s had some of the most iconic actors of all time. This begs the question of what a remake of the original trilogy would look like if it were made in the early 2000s.

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Star Wars was making an incredible comeback at the time, with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace releasing soon before in 1999. Though the film was contentious, this would have been the perfect time for Lucasfilm to release remakes. After all, George Lucas would have been the one to work on them during this period in time. Who, then, would have been the best actors to cast in such a project?

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10 Richard Jenkins As Emperor Palpatine

His Performances Are Award-Winning

Best known for his performances in projects such as The Shape of Water, Step Brothers, and his Emmy award-winning showing in Olive Kitteridge, Richard Jenkins’ body of work can best be described as eclectic. Appearing in everything from painful dramas about life to incredible fantasy spectacles, his range has been tested over his decades-long acting career. He has been acting in film since the 80s and is still acting today, with his most recent appearance being as a voice-actor in John Krasinski’s IF.

Related Star Wars Original Trilogy Cast & Character Guide

From Mark Hamill to Carrie Fisher to Harrison Ford, the original Star Wars trilogy launched its cast members to stardom with iconic characters.

Because of this range, it would come as no surprise if he were cast as the Emperor in a 2000s remake of the original trilogy. By 2010, with his appearance in Let Me In, he had already proven his ability to play complicated characters capable of incredibly violent feats. The Emperor would only be an extension of this, reveling in evil and played up to an even greater level.

9 Clint Eastwood As Grand Moff Tarkin

He Could Replicate Tarkin’s Oppressive Presence

At first glance, Clint Eastwood might seem to be an odd choice for a Star Wars film. After all, he is most famous for his 1960s spaghetti westerns, as well as his role as the titular character in the action film franchise Dirty Harry. However, it is specifically because of this that Clint Eastwood would be perfect for the role of Grand Moff Tarkin.

Not only did the two bear a striking resemblance in the early 2000s, but Clint Eastwood would also be perfectly capable of exuding the threatening aura that seems to permeate Peter Cushing’s performance of the character. With so many action films under his belt, many of which feature less than moral characters, Eastwood understands exactly how to make an audience tense. He would bring that feeling of tension back to the screen that was so iconic in Cushing’s version of the character.

8 Anthony Daniels As C-3PO

He Is Still Playing The Beloved Droid To This Day

Ever since the very beginning, Anthony Daniels has played C-3PO. He played the character in the original trilogy, both in the suit and as the voice of the iconic droid, and has since returned to play him in several different films and television shows. These reprisals include the prequel trilogy, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and even movies not directly related to Star Wars, such as The Lego Movie.

Anthony Daniels is the perfect person for the role, simply because he is and always has been C-3PO. He was even acting as C-3PO at the time, with both the prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars coming out during the early 2000s. Because of this, there is no reason to replace him as C-3PO.

7 Wesley Snipes As Lando Calrissian

Snipes Had The Charisma And The Experience, Even Decades Ago

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Although he had been acting as early as 1984, Wesley Snipes’ career was booming in the 2000s. He was cast as the Marvel Superhero Blade in 1998, appearing in several films as the character throughout the following decade. Despite his tendency to be picked in action hero roles, he has also starred in comedy films such as 1992’s White Men Can’t Jump.

With performances that are saturated with charisma, even in notoriously stiff action films, Wesley Snipes would be a perfect 2000s pick to play Lando Calrissian. Snipes has the ability to win over audiences, something that is synonymous with Billy Dee Williams’ portrayal of the character. This, paired with his wealth of action experience, means that he would be the best choice for a Lando that is heavily involved in the action that goes down in Cloud City during The Empire Strikes Back.

6 Andy Serkis As Master Yoda

The Actor Is An Expert In Voice And Movement

Before the 2000s, Andy Serkis had mostly been cast in smaller projects that went on to see little acclaim. However, after being cast as Gollum for 2001’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, he went on to become the biggest name in motion capture performances. He has since gone on to act in countless films, even appearing in Star Wars both as Supreme Leader Snoke in the sequel trilogy and Kino Loy in Andor.

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Motion capture was a burgeoning technology in the early 2000s, and Andy Serkis was at the forefront of this type of performance. He is also a talented voice-actor, capable of creating wild voices such as Gollum’s. Because of this, whether Yoda would be portrayed through the use of motion capture, CGI, or as a puppet like the one in the original trilogy, Andy Serkis would be able to perfectly assume the role.

5 James Earl Jones As Darth Vader

There Is No Replacing The Iconic Darth Vader Voice

There is no voice more iconic and recognizable than Darth Vader’s, given to him by the legendary actor James Earl Jones who, at the time of writing, has recently passed away. James Earl Jones defined a generation with his voice, his unique sound both powerful and imposing in equal measure. Because of this, it would be impossible to recast another Darth Vader actor. After all, no one sounds quite like James Earl Jones, and without his voice there simply is no Darth Vader.

During the 2000s, James Earl Jones was still a prolific actor. He made many appearances, including his performances in the iconic The Sandlot films, as well as returning to voice Darth Vader at the end of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. The character would not be the same without him, and so, for a 2000s reboot of the original trilogy, his voice should remain.

4 Sean Connery As Obi-Wan Kenobi

He Would Live Up To Alec Guinness’ Legacy

Few actors can hope to achieve Alec Guinness’ level of acclaim, appearing in countless projects over a span of 60 years. Sean Connery is one of those actors, with a similar 60-year acting career that includes incredible films, including his time as James Bond in the 1960s and 70s and later classics such as The Untouchables and The Hunt for the Red October. He has since passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of great films.

With so many different films under his belt, Connery was capable of bringing countless characters to life. His later films such as The Rock and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen are proof of this, and they show where Connery would be around the time that such a reboot of the original trilogy would be coming out. There is no doubt that he would have been a great choice to portray an older version of Obi-Wan Kenobi, with all the wisdom that so many years of experience can offer.

3 Antonio Banderas As Han Solo

He Has All Of Han Solo’s Roguish Charm

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Originally appearing in Spanish films before his transition to American media, Antonio Banderas is perhaps best known for his role as the titular character in The Legend of Zorro. Before this, he appeared in many different well-known films, including Interview with the Vampire and the Spy Kids movies. He would go on to voice the role of Puss in Boots for the Shrek franchise, a role that he has even reprised relatively recently with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022.

Throughout the years, Banderas has played his fair share of roguish characters. Zorro is perhaps the best example of this, showing how charismatic and ultimately heroic he can be. This would make him the perfect fit for Han Solo, a character defined by his outwardly appearing selfish nature who is destined to do good.

2 Keira Knightley As Leia Organa

The Actress Has A History With The Star Wars Franchise

Unbeknownst to many, Keira Knightley actually has a history with the Star Wars franchise. One of Knightley’s very first film roles was as Sabé in The Phantom Menace, who was one of Padmé Amidala’s handmaidens. She would go on to star in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, playing the beloved character of Elizabeth Swann.

For a 2000s casting, Keira Knightley would be the perfect choice for Leia Organa. Not only does Knightley look the part, but she also plays her roles with the confidence necessary to portray the princess. This, coupled with her experience acting in the franchise, would make her the perfect person to portray Leia in a way that honors Carrie Fisher.

1 Ryan Gosling As Luke Skywalker

He Had Yet To Truly Hit Stardom In The Early 2000s

Ryan Gosling was only just becoming a heartthrob in the early 2000s, with his performance in The Notebook sealing the deal. Before this, he starred as Hercules in Young Hercules, and then he took a difficult role starring in Lars and the Real Girl, pulling off the character of Lars with aplomb. Although he is so well known for his role as Ken in the Barbie movie now, he has a range that covers a wide variety of characters, more than just the heartthrobs he is known for.

Luke Skywalker is possibly the most well-known character in all of Star Wars, and because of this, choosing an actor to pick up the role previously played by Mark Hamill is a difficult decision. However, Ryan Gosling would later go on to be a science fiction leading man in Blade Runner 2049, showing that he always had the talent for it. He would make an earnest Luke, one that would be sure to delight fans of the 2000s Star Wars franchise.

Upcoming Star Wars Movies	Release Date
The Mandalorian & Grogu	May 22, 2026

Star Wars

Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.

Created by George Lucas First Film Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Cast Mark Hamill , James Earl Jones , David Prowse , Carrie Fisher , Harrison Ford , Daisy Ridley , Adam Driver , Ian McDiarmid , Ewan McGregor , Rosario Dawson , Lars Mikkelsen , Rupert Friend , Moses Ingram , Frank Oz , Pedro Pascal TV Show(s) The Mandalorian , Andor , Obi-Wan Kenobi , The Book of Boba Fett , Ahsoka , The Acolyte , Star Wars: Skeleton Crew , Lando , Star Wars: The Clone Wars , Star Wars Rebels , Star Wars: The Bad Batch , Star Wars: Resistance , Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures , Star Wars: Visions Character(s) Luke Skywalker , Han Solo , Rey Skywalker , Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious , Obi-Wan Kenobi , Ahsoka Tano , Grand Admiral Thrawn , Grand Inquisitor , Reva (The Third Sister) , The Fifth Brother , The Seventh Sister , The Eighth Brother , Yoda , Din Djarin , Grogu , Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader , Leia Organa , Ben Solo/Kylo Ren Video Game(s) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic , Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords , Star Wars Battlefront (2015) , Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005) , Star Wars: The Force Unleashed , Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II , Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order , Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Expand

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