During her appearance onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,Jodie Fosterrevealed that she was offered, and turned down, a very iconicStar Warsrole in the original 1977 movie. Although it is hard to now imagine anyone other than the late Carrie Fisher in the role ofPrincess Leia Organain the Lucasfilm franchise, it seems that theTrue Detective: Night Countrystar is one of those who could have prevented Fisher ever getting the part.
During the interview, host Jimmy Fallon asked Foster about internet rumors that her career could have been very different as she was offered the role of Leia. Fallon asked:
You’ve been in so many iconic roles, and we love what you do, but I saw this on the internet — you were offered the role of Princess Leia in Star Wars, is that true?
Foster confirmed the rumor, telling Fallon:
Yeah. I was, yeah. They were going for a younger Princess Leia but I had a conflict. 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. And they did an amazing job. I don’t know how good I would have been.
The casting of Foster as Princess Leia would have certainly brought a different dynamic to the role in many ways, not least the fact that Fisher was 20 during filming, while Foster would have been only 14 at the time. Based on the often complex relationships of Leia, as well as her romantic leanings with Han Solo, it is possible that Foster would have always proven too young for the role or that Leia’s portrayal in the film could have ended up being very different to the one that has become part of cinema history.
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Foster, even as a teenager, had already received acclaim for her roles in films likeTaxi Driver, but despite her clear talent for dramatic roles, it is doubtful that she would have been right for the role of Leia. Whether this is more down to the fact that Fisher’s performance has been cemented in the public eye over the last five decades is something we will never truly know, but given Foster’s recent opinions on big franchise movies, perhaps her path has taken her in the right direction, away from the blockbuster world of theStar Warssaga.
Foster’s work has never been too far away from critical acclaim. She has delivered powerful performances in films likeThe Silence of the Lambs, whereshe played FBI trainee Clarice Starlingopposite Anthony Hopkins’ chilling Hannibal Lecter, and inThe Accused,as Sarah Tobias, a waitress and victim of a horrific gang rape who has to battle for justice. These roles earned her two Academy Awards for Best Actress, solidifying her status asone of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actors.
Currently, Foster is appearing inher first TV lead role inTrue Detective: Night Country. The fourth season of the anthology series has gained a lot of praise and seen the series return to the level of its original series 10 years ago. That series is currently available to watch on HBO and Max.
