Jodie Foster says she turned down Princess Leia role in 'Star Wars' because of Disney contract. Foster did not reveal what Disney movie she was locked into, but the timeline suggests it might've been “Freaky Friday,” which was released a year before “Star Wars.”
Jodie Foster has revealed that she came perilously close to starring as one of the most iconic characters in film history. The actress, 61, has shared that she was cast in the original Star Wars series as Princess Leia, but had to turn it down because she was already playing a role in a Disney movie.
"They were going for a younger Princess Leia but I had a conflict," she said. "I was doing a Disney movie and I just didn't want to pull out of the Disney movie because I was already under contract so I didn't do it.”
Jodie Foster had reservations about a sequel after reading the controversial Hannibal book, but she chose not to return because of scheduling conflicts. Foster's replacement, Julianne Moore, captures Clarice Starling's essential qualities but was intimidated about inheriting the role.
In January, Foster stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she revealed that not only did she audition for the role of Leia but was also offered the part. “They were going for a younger Princess Leia, but I had a conflict,” the Oscar-winning actress told the late night host.
NYAD's Annette Bening and Jodie Foster Behind The Scenes | Netflix
What actress turned down Princess Leia?
Jodie Foster Turned Down Playing a 14-Year-Old Princess Leia in 'Star Wars' The Oscar winner was offered the iconic Star Wars role that eventually went to Carrie Fisher.
Carrie Fisher portrays Leia in all the films of the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy. She was cast over Karen Allen, Amy Irving, Terri Nunn, Cindy Williams, and Linda Purl. Jodie Foster was offered the role, but turned it down because she was under contract with Disney.
For the role of Lecter, Demme originally approached Sean Connery. After Connery turned it down, Anthony Hopkins was offered the role based on his performance in The Elephant Man (1980).
From her late 40s through her 50s, Foster barely did any acting. Partly, she said, this was because she felt she was in an awkward stretch of middle age where she was competing with the audience's memories of a younger, smoother-skinned version of herself.
Lecter's plan to brainwash Starling into believing she's Mischa ultimately fails, as she refuses to have her own personality sublimated. Then, in the novel's most controversial sequence, she opens her dress and offers her breast to Lecter; he accepts her offer and the two became lovers.
Darth Vader didn't learn he had a daughter until Return of the Jedi, when he stood before Emperor Palpatine. The Emperor's power probed Luke's mind, attempting to goad him to fall to the dark side, and he discovered Leia's existence. "Sister," the Emperor taunted.
Princess Leia Was Almost Played By Jodie Foster, But Here's Why That Didn't Happen. Jodie Foster would have been only 13 when filming was underway on the original Star Wars. The late Carrie Fisher famously played Princess Leia in the Star Wars films, but the part was originally offered to Jodie Foster.
In fact, as of 2024, Jodie's net worth has been reported to be as high as a jaw-dropping $100 million, per Celebrity Net Worth. While you try to stop screaming like a lamb over the insane bank account of one of our most celebrated actors, here's more about Jodie's life and career.
At her graduation in 1980, she delivered the valedictorian address for the school's French division. She then attended Yale University, where she majored in African-American literature, wrote her thesis on Toni Morrison under the guidance of Henry Louis Gates Jr., and graduated magna cum laude in 1985.
The 10 Best Jodie Foster Performances, Ranked: 'The Silence of the Lambs,' 'Taxi Driver,' 'True Detective: Night Country,' and More. "The Accused," "Panic Room," and more films that track Foster's trajectory from talented child star to seasoned veteran.
Anthony Hopkins has fond memories of working with Jodie Foster on The Silence of the Lambs more than three decades ago. “She's lovely,” the two-time Oscar winner, 86, who's now starring in the movie Freud's Last Session, tells PEOPLE.
Jodie Foster, a two-time Oscar winner, has contemplated leaving acting despite starting at age three. Now 61, she stars in HBO's "True Detective: Night Country" and Netflix's "Nyad," sharing her journey as an introvert and finding relaxation in her career.
Jodie and her father remained estranged for much of her life, after Lucius walked out on Evelyn Ella Almond shortly after the birth of the actress. He in turn claimed the divorce was because Evelyn was a lesbian, and they have separated and gotten back together to have another child - Jodie.
Who was the first choice for Silence of the Lambs?
Michelle Pfeiffer has revealed she turned down “evil” thriller The Silence of the Lambs as she was “uncomfortable” with its storyline. Pfeiffer was famously the first choice for the role of FBI agent Clarice Starling in the seminal 1991 horror movie, with Jodie Foster eventually winning an Oscar for the part.
Yet, funny enough, Hopkins wasn't the first choice to play Hannibal Lecter. At the time, a lot of names were loosely tossed around, from Robert De Niro to Robert Duvall. There were a few actors really interested in playing the part, reportedly Dustin Hoffman and Morgan Freeman.
Alfredo Ballí Treviño: The Killer Doctor Who Inspired the Character Hannibal Lecter. The famed literary and movie antagonist was based on a Mexican doctor who murdered his boyfriend in 1959.
Known for her role as Shirley Feeney on Happy Days, Cindy Williams auditioned for Leia after having worked with Lucas on American Graffiti. However, this also resulted in her not getting the part, as Lucas didn't want to cast actors who had already appeared in his movie (Harrison Ford ended up being the exception).
Han Solo marries Princess Leia and they have three children: twins named Jacen and Jaina, and a younger son named Anakin. Luke reestablishes the Jedi Order, marries a non-movie (but fan favorite) redheaded Force-wielder named Mara Jade, and they have a son, Ben Skywalker (named in honor of Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi).
