Jodie Foster Could’ve Been Princess Leia in “Star Wars”

We know what you’re thinking. How in the hell is this just NOW being reported on? Well, considering how many actors and actresses were “almost” cast in some of the most now-iconic roles in science fiction movie history, it shouldn’t be surprising we’re still hearing about the alternates.

We all know about Terri Nunn, frontwoman of band Berlin, being the runner up for the part of Princess Leia Organa. (Which of course eventually went to Hollywood royalty Carrie Fisher.) But what about other names for the role? Say….Oscar winner Jodie Foster?

Before we get into the story, let’s keep in mind how old Foster would’ve been at the time of filming. If she had been cast, she would’ve been 15. Also worth recalling that Harrison Ford, Han Solo, was 35. So…it would’ve been…problematic, to say the least. Fisher was 19 during filming.

The news came from the best possible source- Jodie Foster herself.

“They were going for a younger Princess Leia, but I had a conflict,” Foster told Jimmy Fallon on a recent episode of “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.” “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. They did an amazing job. I don’t know how good I would have been. I might have had different hair. I might have gone with a pineapple [instead of the side buns].”

The film she was probably under contract for was “Candleshoe,” a treasure hunt adventure that is actually worth a watch. (It’s available on Disney+.) Foster recently directed the multi-award nominated feature film “Nyad” for Netflix, which stars Annette Bening. Foster also stars in HBO’s new season of “True Detective.”

I now can’t get the idea of Jodie Foster voicing an older Leia in a possible “What If…Star Wars?” episode out of my head. You’re welcome.