Movies

Al Pacino turned down the role of Han Solo

BBG News

As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I can’t help but marvel at the what-ifs of Hollywood. The revelation that Al Pacino was offered the role of Han Solo and turned it down due to his own success is truly mind-boggling. It’s fascinating to think about how different the galaxy far, far away would look with a young Pacino swaggering through the Millennium Falcon.

Han Solo is often recognized as one of the most iconic film characters in history, with the Han Solo role in Star Wars being no exception – several actors were considered for the part. However, a recent memoir reveals that Harrison Ford wasn’t the only actor who was approached for the role; another individual was also considered but declined due to his own flourishing career.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Al Pacino shares in his memoir “Sonny Boy” that he was offered the part of Han Solo in “Star Wars: A New Hope”. Fresh off the success of “The Godfather” in 1972, Pacino remembers discussing the role with his acting coach Charlie Laughton. In the book, he writes, “They offered me the role of Han Solo.” After reading the script together, Pacino said, “I can’t make anything out of this,” to which Laughton responded, “Neither can I.” Consequently, Pacino did not accept the role.

Finding this tale amusing is understandable since even stars like Anthony Daniels and Alec Guinness, during the filming of “A New Hope,” shared a similar sentiment. Back then, concepts such as Wookiees, hyperspace, and Star Wars’ unique lingo were unfamiliar to many. It’s ironic that these very elements that seem so commonplace in our culture today were initially keeping Al Pacino away from the Star Wars universe.

In his memoir, he wrote that wherever he went, “The Godfather” seemed to trail him and overshadow his actions. He felt embarrassed about it, but the world wouldn’t allow him to be discreet. He was utterly bewildered by all the fuss. After the success of “The Godfather,” they would have let him take on any role.

It’s tough to envision any other actor embodying Han’s character quite like Harrison Ford did; his portrayal has become an iconic part of the story. In my opinion, it all turned out for the best, with each actor eventually rising to stardom.

If you want to read more about the excerpt, Al Pacino’s autobiography Sonny Boy is out now.

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2024-10-30 04:51

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