Gabriel Byrne in Star Wars?

By Jack August 15, 2001 3:32 PM

The Sci fi Wire and Coming Attractions sites are both reporting rumors that Gabriel Byrne (who is best known for his roles in The Usual Suspects and Millers Crossing) is talking about the possibility of starring in Star Wars: Episode III. Byrne reportedly said he's talked to George Lucas about a character slated to appear in the prequel.

"We're discussing it," Byrne supposedly said. "I think they're still writing the script."

Byrne was earlier rumored to be up for parts in both Episode I and II--rumors that turned out not to be true.

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RE: Gabriel Byrne in Star Wars?   reply

Posted by 100% AMERICAN (hellskitchen_@hotmail.com) on August 15, 2001 4:34 PM

Ever seen that Saturday Night Live, when Jack Lemon is reading for Obi Wan, its hilarious. Byrne would be less funny, and thats good. Then again, there are lots of actors out there that would be amazing. Lucas once said, if he could choose any actor dead or living to be the ultimate Jedi Master, he would have chosen Bruce Lee. I'd have chosen Toshiro Mifune. Anyway, I like what I'm hearing. The way things have gone over the last year, I was afraid the Olson twins were gonna show up with one of the Corey's. Perhaps this is the start of Lucas and Co. redeeming themselves...it's not too late.

RE: Gabriel Byrne in Star Wars?   reply

Posted by power-trip (powertripz@hotmail.com) on August 15, 2001 5:06 PM

If Lucas wants to find redemption then Byrne could be a step in the right direction.

Toshiro Mifune would be a monster catch for a series like Star Wars.  Talk about instant critical credibility.  RIGHT ON 100%!

Perhaps if Lucas also got Takeshi "Beat" Kitano then we'd have one serious azz kicking movie.  Imagine the super cool possibilites of those two stalking the screen and putting a whipping on the Sith.  I'm getting a charlie horse just thinking about it.

RE: Gabriel Byrne in Star Wars?   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on August 15, 2001 6:40 PM

Allow this humble, non-gay (not that there's anything wrong with that) SHEMP to voice a similiar opinion. I too think Mifune would have been perfect, on the flip side, I would love to see someone like Adrian Paul, Wesley Snipes, or Vin Diesel play a Sith. It does not have to be someone behind a mask or a bus load of war paint.

  I don't really want to be a RANDOM SHEMP, does it cost $ to register?

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Posted by MarcusJulianus (mush@attbi.com) on August 15, 2001 7:36 PM

In a word, no.

RE: Gabriel Byrne in Star Wars?   reply

Posted by A Specific Shemp (spam@someone.else) on August 15, 2001 8:37 PM

Of course, the first step above all else is to get rid of Jar Jar and every other overly cutesy aspect of the movie.  R2 and 3PO are all the cute those movies need.

RE: Gabriel Byrne in Star Wars?   reply

Posted by FredHater (fred_hater@hotmail.com) on August 16, 2001 6:32 AM

I agree with you on the Mifune for ultimate Jedi, he had that rogue exterior with a giant and powerful mystique behind it, always delivered an awesome performance.

Bruce Lee, who was unparalleled had a little too much manic energy to be a Jedi, I think you would have to come up with a completely new classification of  intergalactic bad ass for the late great Mr Lee

RE: Gabriel Byrne in Star Wars?   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on August 16, 2001 7:17 AM

agreed

RE: Gabriel Byrne in Star Wars?   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on August 16, 2001 10:11 AM

Maybe even Emmanuel Lewis?!

RE: Gabriel Byrne in Star Wars?   reply

Posted by Gunther (No Email) on August 16, 2001 1:28 PM

While he may help the Lucas franchise, it's very possible the franchise won't help him. His success in Miller's Crossing was very well planned and executed (one of my all-time favorite performances), but Usual Suspects was more of a fluke (you can't tell me he knew he had a hit on his hands when he signed on...). Without too many exceptions, his other acting stints have been regrettable and unmemorable (Cool World, Stigmata being cases in point). I only hope he isn't duped (along with the rest of us) into going along for the ride on another flop.

RE: Gabriel Byrne in Star Wars?   reply

Posted by limeygit (indiemonkey@excite.com) on August 18, 2001 5:41 PM

The two Coreys - genius. One representing the dark and one the light.
An epic battle, a fitting end to the story and the reunion of the warring Coreys - I can't wait...