Samuel L. Jackson Was Even Okay Playing a Stormtrooper Before Landing Mace Windu Role in $51.8B Star Wars Franchise
Actor Samuel L. Jackson is undoubtedly one of the best actors of all time. He has appeared in hits like Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained, and Jackie Brown. Apart from this, he has played some iconic roles like Nick Fury in the MCU and Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. The actor was so keen on being a part of the Star Wars franchise that he was ready to play the role of Stormtrooper.
However, director George Lucas had different plans as he was then asked to play the role of Jedi Master Mace Windu. He played the character in Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
Samuel L. Jackson wanted to be a part of the Star Wars franchise
Back when the Star Wars prequel trilogy was being planned out, actor Samuel L. Jackson reportedly approached director George Lucas in order to be a part of the franchise. He was a huge fan of the franchise and was ready to play the part of a Stormtrooper just to be in the movies. However, Lucas had something in his mind as he wouldn’t give such a small role to a prestigious actor like Jackson.
The actor played the role of Jedi Master Mace Windu
Samuel L. Jackson was then asked to play the role of Jedi Master Mace Windu. With his purple lightsaber, the actor flawlessly portrayed Mace Windu as fans praised his commanding presence and no-nonsense attitude. He played the role in three movies, Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002), and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005). The movies helped the actor in gaining even more recognition, especially among the younger generations. In the past, he has expressed interest in playing the role once again so fans can expect him to reprise his role in future movies.
Samuel L. Jackson began acting in the 1980s
The actor has been a part of the entertainment industry for about four decades now. He has appeared in over 150 movies which has helped him win many prestigious awards. He won an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Pulp Fiction (1994). His role as Jules Winnfield was so iconic that people still associate him with the character.
The 74-year-old actor began acting in the 1980s. Initially, he played small roles in School Daze (1988) and Do the Right Thing (1989). Later in his career, he was reportedly mentored by actor Morgan Freeman. The 1990s were very crucial for him, the actor battled heroin and cocaine addiction but his role as a crack cocaine addict in Jungle Fever (1991) was so good that the jury of the 1991 Cannes Film Festival reportedly added a special “Supporting Actor” award just for him. He then went on to star in several other big hits.
Related: Samuel L. Jackson Did This $62M Cult-Classic Because He Found the Name Funny: “He said ‘For real?!’”
Source: CheatSheet
