One of the most iconic figures in American music history shockingly auditioned for the role ofMace WinduinStar Wars, and I genuinely can’t believe it. Just asthe cast of the originalStar Warstrilogyhas become legendary,the prequel trilogy’s cast of characters, as the years have gone on, have also become legends inStar Warsmovies and TV shows. Because of that, it’s difficult to imagine different actors portraying the biggest characters in the prequels.
This has already been explored in cases likeLeonardo DiCaprio almost playing Anakin Skywalker, which many agree would have made a massive difference had it happened (likely not for the better, in part because of the star power he would have been bringing). Yet, major prequel trilogy characters who weren’t exactly the leads of those movies have been explored to a much lesser extent. This only made it all the more shocking thatan American music legend evidently auditioned for the role of Mace Windu, and the impact it would have had on the character is significant.
Tupac Auditioned For The Role Of Mace Windu
Legendary American Rapper, Tupac Shakur, Evidently Auditioned For Star Wars
Iconic American rapper Tupac Shakur was in the running for the role of Mace Windu inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, according to an interview with George Lucas posted bypalpifyon Instagram. In the video, Lucas can be heard explaining that Tupac went in to read the script, and they were seriously considering him for the role.
Of course, that role ultimately went to Samuel L. Jackson, who played Mace inThe Phantom Menaceas well as inStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the ClonesandStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.
Even so, it’s fascinating to imagine what Tupac would have done with the role. For one,this would have made Mace Windu considerably youngerthan he ended up being inThe Phantom Menace, which may have shaped his character in unique ways. (Tupac was in his 20s at the time, whereas Jackson was in his 50s throughout the prequel trilogy.) However, the role of Mace Windu wouldn’t have been wildly out of character for Tupac, who had an acting career even with music being his focus and what he is most known for.
Tupac Sadly Died In 1996
Although George Lucas' interview doesn’t highlight the exact sequence of events, it’s clear Tupac was auditioning for the role of Mace Windu not long before his tragic death in 1996. Casting forThe Phantom Menacebegan in 1995, and, in the video, Lucas explains that they were eyeing Tupac in 1996 specifically. Given he died in September of that same year, it’s possible his death was the reason he didn’t get the part (although it also may be the case that he’d been turned down for the role prior to his passing).
The details of Tupac’s death are absolutely devastating. The 25-year-old star was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting, and he died from his injuries in the hospital days later. Obviously, the biggest tragedy here is the loss of a young man’s life, but the fact that he was auditioning for major roles like Mace Windu inStar Warsjust before his death is yet another painful reminder of how early his life was cut short when he still had so much potential and a bright future ahead.
It’s Hard To Imagine Anyone But Samuel L. Jackson As Mace Windu
Jackson’s Performance As Mace Windu Made The Character Iconic
Admittedly,it’s a bit difficult to imagine anyone else in the role of Mace Windu, although, as mentioned, it would have been interesting to see how Tupac shaped the role. There is something rather special about what Samuel L. Jackson brought to the character, though, and that’s true not only with his performance but also with his ideas about the character. After all, it was Jackson who wanted Mace to have a purple lightsaber, which was groundbreaking at the time and also opened up a whole new world oflightsaber colors inStar Wars.
Jackson made Mace’s character truly iconic.
In many ways, Jackson made Mace’s character truly iconic. It would have been all too easy for Mace Windu to feel like any other secondary character inStar Warson the Jedi Council (of whom there are many), but Jackson’s performance and his unique take on the character made Mace Windu what he is. It’s fascinating (and heartbreaking) to realize that Tupac was in the running to beMace Winduin theStar Warsprequel trilogy, but Samuel L. Jackson does seem destined to play the role.
