Tom Hanks Regrets Missing His Star Wars Cameo for a Sad Reason That Would’ve Put Him Up With Daniel Craig and Tom Hardy
Star Wars has become a cultural phenomenon known for its expansive universe filled with compelling characters. While the franchise made stars out of its relatively unknown original cast, it has since featured cameos from several A-listers. Tom Hanks recently revealed he could have joined the ranks of celebrity cameos, if not for a scheduling conflict that left him regretful. The revelation stings for fans who would have loved to see Hollywood legend Hanks suit up in the iconic armor. While brief, the cameo could have made an impact similar to other stars who have donned the helmet.
A Missed Opportunity for Tom Hanks
Star Wars is a major franchise with a very passionate fan base, making it a huge topic of discussion among fans about major stars making cameos in the series. In an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Hanks disclosed that director Ron Howard approached him to play a minor stormtrooper role in 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story.
“I would have done that,” Hanks said, but due to timing issues, “I couldn’t get there in time.”
Tom Hanks working with Howard would have brought together two titans of the industry. The duo collaborated on classics like Splash, Apollo 13, and The Da Vinci Code. Howard even earned an Oscar nomination for directing Hanks in Apollo 13.
Given their creative history, Hanks playing a minor part in Howard’s first Star Wars film could have been a meaningful reunion. It would have also demonstrated Hanks’ willingness to take a small role simply for the fun of being part of the galaxy far, far away.
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Stormtrooper Cameos Offer Endless Possibilities
Ever since stormtroopers first marched onto screens in 1977’s A New Hope, Star Wars has utilized the armor’s anonymity to incorporate surprises. Actors like Daniel Craig, Tom Hardy, and Jason Sudeikis have briefly shown up as troopers in recent projects.
The cameos often provide comic relief as fans attempt to spot the famous voice or mannerisms beneath the helmet. Hanks’ trademark wit and charm could have elevated a short stormtrooper bit into a memorable moment. Missed cameos leave fans imagining the possibilities of what might have been.
Tom Hanks Joins the Ranks of Near-Star Wars Castings
While Hanks unfortunately couldn’t align schedules for Solo, he’s not alone in nearly joining the saga. Actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Jackson, and Kurt Russell reportedly came close to appearing in early Star Wars films.
In the Disney era, filmmakers have attracted major stars like Lupita Nyong’o, Benicio del Toro, and Keri Russell for supporting roles. While the franchise made relative unknowns like Daisy Ridley household names, recruiting established actors shows its massive appeal.
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Hanks cheerfully admitting he “would have done that” displays his genuine passion for the enduring Star Wars series. While Hanks tragically missed out on this cameo, perhaps the door remains open for the beloved star to finally live out his stormtrooper dreams someday.
