DiCaprio and Skywalker. Two names that when mentioned in the same breath can send a collective shiver down the universal spine.
It would have been an undeniable combo, and would have sent the Star Wars franchise spiraling out of control. That is, after all, the DiCaprio effect. Let us indulge, for just a moment, in the ever elusive what if.
Anakin backstory
Following George Lucas’ cosmic creation back in the 70s and 80s, there was pressure to produce a reboot in the same vein. In 1999, we finally got the first glimpse of what would eventually become the menacing, conflicted Darth Vader.
At the time, a young Jake Lloyd donned the scruffy robes and entered pod races, and one might say that he performed reasonably well in a role that didn’t require much bravado (considering Liam Neeson was in it).
Born on the planet of Tatooine in the Outer Rim Territories of the galaxy, the young Skywalker was portrayed as a handy wiz (he built C3PO), and a talented pilot.
More pertinent to the overall story, he possessed over 20,000 midi-cholrians (microscopic life forms that could be found in cells through which The Force spoke), surpassing even Grand Master Yoda in this count. It was for this reason he was deemed the Chosen One that would bring balance to the galaxy.
In Attack of the Clones, Anakin ‘blossoms’ into a hotheaded, often rash young man. Brimming with confidence (sometimes too much confidence), and harboring a secret love for Senator and former Queen Padme Amidala.
Although hugely talented, his tendency not to obey his master, Obi Wan Kenobi, causes him to come shorthanded (pun intended), and paves the way for his ultimate transformation into the powerful Sith leader.
We saw this transition taking place in the much-improved Revenge of the Sith, and even Hayden Christensen cannot be faulted too much by this point.
Leo the game changer?
But there’s still that what if. According to news outlets, Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the role of Anakin from episode two going into three. But, for better or worse, he turned it down.
By the time they were looking for someone to play Anakin, Leo had already melted hearts with his charming performance in Titanic, and preferred to be involved with the critically-acclaimed film Catch me if you Can in which he starred opposite Tom Hanks, as well as Gangs of New York.
At this point, he was very much in the limelight, putting in stellar display after stellar display, and he’s only gotten better with time. So what exactly would he have brought to the Star Wars universe had he accepted the role?
In a word: Gravitas. Whenever he appears in a film, Leo takes centre stage. Even as a third-class passenger aboard the doomed Titanic, he shined like a penny. It’s his range of expressions, his emotional spectrum, but, to me, it’s the intensity in his eyes that really would have drawn audiences to his Anakin-come-Vader.
Hayden Christensen tried to do it, but too often came off sulky rather than having the desired effect of being imposing and frightening. And audiences grew pretty tired pretty fast of his mono-expressive face, and limited vocal range and tone.
That’s what sets DiCaprio apart: his ability to impact movie-goers with naught but an expression, a look, the sudden narrowing of his eyes, furrowing of brows, flaring of nostrils, it speaks for itself. Give him a poor script, and he’ll still find a way to turn it around.
Whether he’s playing a megalomaniac in Wolf of Wallstreet, or a haggard combatant in The Revenant, he is the focal point. He is the film. Just the mere mention of DiCaprio in the cast list equates to an automatic booking at the cinema.
The flip side
Okay, is there such a thing as “too much” gravitas? Maybe DiCaprio-ing Star Wars would have caused the universe to explode. Or maybe he would have over-Anakined it.
Let’s face it, the young Skywalker was already a lethal character, with such a powerful backstory, and a buck load of conflict. I think it might be safe to say that there are more ‘suitable’ actors for the role than the mighty Leo.
As it turns out, there were casting calls for a plethora of people, from unknowns to A-listers. Among them were Paul Walker and Ryan Philippe, both worthy candidates, but in the end, George Lucas gave the nod to Christensen.
Did you know?
Legendary rapper Tupac Shakur read for the part of Mace Windu, which eventually went to Samuel L. Jackson. And how about the King of pop, the one and only Michael Jackson wanting to play…Jar Jar Binks!
Yes, as it turns out, MJ wanted to use prosthetics and what not should he have gotten the role, whereas Lucas was set on using CGI.
The verdict
Sadly, Leonardo DiCaprio did not choose to play the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy (arguably). Maybe in a parallel universe, he did, and in that timeline, along with Tupac as Windu and MJ giving Jar Jar a much-needed makeover, Star Wars is probably the greatest thing since LEGO.
Do you think DiCaprio would have made a good Anakin?
