The fate of the galaxy almost looked a little different than how we know it today. Jodie Foster has revealed on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show that she was offered the role of Princess Leia but had to turn down the Star Wars offer (see the clip below). The issue is a common one, as it was a scheduling conflict. She was doing a Disney movie that she didn’t want to back out of. Ultimately, the role went to the late Carrie Fisher.
The star kept it vague as to what movie she did that got in the way. Based on the timeline, it was likely 1976’s Freaky Friday with Barbara Harris. A year later, A New Hope was released and skyrocketed the career of a 19-year-old Fisher. If it went to the Silence of the Lambs star, we would have had a Princess who was younger by a few years, as she was about 15.
Jodie Foster on Almost Being Princess Leia and Rejecting Star Wars
To Jodie Foster, playing Princess Leia was not an option. She was “under contract” and “didn’t want to pull out of the Disney movie.” In the end, she holds no regrets as she liked who it went to in the end, which made for one of the most iconic characters in the history of film.
And they did an amazing job. I don’t know how good I would have been. I might have had different hair. I might have gone with a pineapple.
Jodie Foster on Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia
Diving into what at the time could have been and ultimately became one of the biggest properties in history, things went well for the star despite passing it for another project she was set to do. In fact, she has been nominated for four Oscars, two of which she ended up winning. She won the prestigious award for Silence of the Lambs and The Accused. Plus, she was nominated for Taxi Driver and Nell.
The Oscar-winning star is currently in similar shoes as her Hannibal character, Clarice Starling, as she co-leads True Detective season 4, subtitled Night Country. She and Kali Reis join forces to uncover mysterious murders in Alaska. New episodes arrive on HBO and Max every Sunday night.
