James Marshall as Anakin?!?

Just saw on a legal website that an actor named James Marshall (from A Few Good Men) claims he was Lucas' first choice to play Anakin in the prequels. He would've been in his 30's by the time TPM came out though, if his IMDB page is correct. I was under the impression Lucas didn't even start casting for Anakin until '96 for TPM and 2000 for AOTC. Anyone else heard this or know anything about his casting considerations?

 

We know that Robin Gurland met with over 400 actors for around 20 minutes each, taped them and then narrowed it down to 25. She presented the 25 to Lucas and he and Gurland narrowed it down to 4 that would screen test with Natalie at Skywalker ranch. I don't think Lucas was opposed to casting someone older than Natalie, but 33 would have been a bit much. So I'm not sure I buy the source of that information regarding James Marshall.

I think the only actor we know for sure who tested along with Christensen was Ryan Phillippe. He gave an interview saying he was one of the four who tested with Natalie Portman. He would have been about 25 though and he said they thought he was too old for the part.

Someone should probably ask Rick McCallum who the other two actors were that tested with Natalie. Colin Hanks might have been one of them but I find that laughable that he would even make it that far.

 

Is this the same James Marshall that played James Hurley on Twin Peaks?

 

Yeah, that's him. All the emotional range of a tree stump. Can't see him being anyone's preferred choice to play Anakin, let alone George Lucas's.

If it was seen on a legal website, it's probably in relation to his suing Hoffman-LaRoche for $11m over health problems he suffered from taking the anti-acne drug Accutane, which led to the surgical removal of his colon, & the end of his career as an actor. In such a case, potential roles would be brought up, and if he was part of the auditioning process for Anakin, it would definitely be mentioned. A certain amount of exaggeration could well come into play.

 

I think Jesse Spencer (then only of Aussie-Soap 'Neighbours' fame) auditioned, along with Paul Cattermole, then of the British manufactured pop outlet S-Club 7 if memory serves me correct. Ryan Phillipe as others have said also (who could have done a decent job and certainly had the Jake Lloyd look). Not sure if there was anyone else apart from Christensen. I seem to have a vague recollection that Colin Hanks might have auditioned (I thought it was 5 that auditioned rather than 4). I certainly never heard of this Marshall character around that time.

People like Paul Walker, Josh Hartnett and Di Caprio were just rumours as far as I remember. Di Caprio was my choice at the time, and I always felt the animosity towards the rumours were just a typical fanboy reaction. I admit I wasn't sure myself until I saw The Basketball Diaries around October '99. While its not anything special itself, Di Caprio impressed me enough that I immediately saw him as a potential Anakin (then again, had Shattered Glass been made a couple of years earlier, I'd have been in no doubt Christensen was up to it as well). Its funny 'cos I even had the (presumably faked) concept art of Di Caprio done up in the Jedi robes on my wall at one point around late 1999/early 2000, so keen was I to see him cast. Then again, I also had next to it some photoshopped image with Josh Hartnett next to Padme overlooking Mos Espa. 2002 seemed so far away at that point

 

I don't think James Marshall is quite THAT bad an actor, but he would've been completely the wrong choice for Anakin, even had the prequels been made earlier when he was the right age. (All I've seen him in is Twin Peaks though, in which he plays a character who's supposed to be kinda dumb. Love that show, though.)

 

Yeah, I don't think Leo was ever even considered or auditioned to play Anakin. You gotta remember that there were absolutely nuts casting/storyline rumors floating around for both Episodes I and II (not so much for III, iirc, besides the Palpatine/Sidious/clone nonsense)-stuff like Boba Fett being a woman and played by Jodie Foster, Obi-Wan being a clone, Mace Windu being a traitor to the Jedi...

Wouldn't surprise me at all if Marshall had been a rumor; it seemed like practically every white blonde male between 20 and 30 was rumored to be Anakin between Episode I and II.

 

I don't doubt for a minute Di Caprio was considered. Most actors around that age, with that look were considered. The biggest negative was his fame, of course. I can see why he would have been counted out for this alone. But as far as his other suitability for the part was concerned, he would have been a definite candidate, I'm sure. I can't imagine that had he not done Titanic he wouldn't have at least got an audition. I remember a Rick McCallum interview from early 2000. He was asked directly about Di Caprio's chances and he didn't rule him out. While of course that was probably McCallum leaving his publicity-seeking/diplomatic producer hat on, he also added something along the lines of "he's a really terrific actor" which in itself was a controversial opinion amongst the hardcore Star Wars fans who only knew him from Titanic.

 

I am sure Robin Gurland met with Leonardo DiCaprio for 20 minutes regarding the role of Anakin just as she did with 400 others over the year, but whether he made it to the top 25 is another matter. Lucas likely wouldn't have wanted such a well known actor but his box office appeal might have given him an edge. Especially since Lucas thought he was making a romantic movie. However he didn't make the final four and if he made the top 25 it was probably just out of respect. The tabloids and entertainment magazines just hyped DiCaprio because his name drew money and interest in the stories even if there was little chance he'd get the role.

But like I said earlier, it might be time to ask someone like Rick McCallum who the final four were and who didn't make that cut. Out of respect for Hayden it might not have been answered long ago, but we're far removed from the movies now to where it wouldn't make a difference.

 

It?s a shame. Looking back, I think James Franco would have made a killer Anakin. I don't think he was even considered, though, although it wouldn't surprise me.

 

^^^
I could definitely see Franco in the role.

Also looking back, Jake Gyllenhaal could have handled the Anakin role well. After watching Donnie Darko back in 2001, I was seriously hoping Hayden could match that intensity and depth of acting. Jake played one seriously disturbed dude!

Hayden did well, considering the script and direction that he had to contend with.

 

The point of Anakin wasn't coming off as insane.

But yeah, Jake Gyllenhaal could've done well.

 

yeah. Jake and James I could see as Anakin but hey, Hayden is Anakin lol. I thought he did well with what he had to work with and both Jake's and James's performances wouldn't have been no different either way than that of Hayden's.

 

From a quick look around, it turns out that DiCaprio did meet briefly with GL, but was unavailable, this was stated by his publicist at the time. http://www.hollywood.com/news/ROLE_CALL_Leo_out_of_Anakin_Sweepstakes/312150

There's a good few well-known actors who participated in the initial casting call of however many hundreds including Paul Walker & Joshua Jackson (James Marshall may well have done so). There was apparently a shortlist of 25, then the final four who read with Natalie Portman at Skywalker Ranch. They were Hayden Christensen (duh), Ryan Philippe (confirmed), & as far as I can tell, Paul Cattermole (S-Club 7) & Colin Hanks. I've been unable to confirm 100% on those last two. Colin Hanks definitely made it as far as the shortlist of 25, & was still being touted as a frontrunner when the Skywalker Ranch auditions were being reported.

I've posted this over in a thread on the Lucasfilm projects forum, here's who I thought would have been 100% perfect for the role, had the SW saga continued as planned after ROTJ, every three years:

1986 - Episode I

[image=http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcjc3hESXG1qaqo15o1_400.jpg] [image=http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsP/13811-12944.jpg]

1989 - Episode II

[image=http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsP/13811.gif] [image=http://www.aleka.org/phoenix/filmo/indy-1g.jpg]

1992 - Episode III

[image=http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.moviefone.com/media/2010/08/sneakers-phoenix.jpg] [image=http://content.internetvideoarchive.com/content/photos/091/003842_5.jpg]

Too bad. If they'd actually carried on with making the prequels in the 1980s (apparently Ep 1 was tentatively scheduled for 1988, according to Irvin Kershner), I think River Phoenix would have been GL's first choice - he did end up playing the young Indiana Jones, after all. He would have been fantastic as Anakin, too.

 

From what I gathered at the time, Jesse Spencer ('Neighbours' & 'House') got pretty close. I think you're right about Cattermole auditioning and I believe Phillipe has gone on record saying he was really upset not to get it.

While I agree he'd have been a great Anakin, effectively it was Harrison Ford who got Phoenix cast as the young Indy. Before that he might not have even been on Lucas' radar, though its a good chance he'd have been recommended. Because of Stand By Me, he was one of the leading teenage actors of that time. Then again, maybe he'd have been considered too recognisable.

 

^^^
. . . and River had his own 'dark side,' which ultimately consumed him.

 

Yep, I remember River Phoenix mentioned quite a bit as a fan favorite during the search for Anakin process (if the time was right, of course). He had the looks and the talent.

 

James Hurley as Anakin... between that and Kyle Maclachlan being first choice for Qui-Gon, the Prequels could've turned into some kind of odd "Twin Peaks" family reunion. What's next? Miguel Ferrer as Mace Windu? Ray Wise as Count Dooku? Deputy Andy as Jar Jar?

 

And David Lynch as Yoda.

 

Who would be Padmé, Sherilyn Fenn or Lara Flynn Boyle? Sheryl Lee?

Obi-Wan at Dex's Diner: "Damn good coffee!"

--MissPadme

 

Actually, Madchen Amick resembles Natalie Portman quite a bit, doesn't she?

I suppose Sheryl Lee could've played Padme and her decoy, Maddie.

 

This debate requires a great deal of careful consideration.

[image=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgaexpCb3_8/TZPjv3KA9UI/AAAAAAAAFWY/-BnHPzTU1b0/s1600/rollingstone_twin_peaks.jpg]