Joseph Fiennes says he nearly played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars Prequels
“When it comes to his most memorable audition story, “The Handmaid’s Tale” star Joseph Fiennes has a really good one. As it turns out, it revolves around a key role in the “Star Wars” prequels.
In an interview with TheWrap, Fiennes was coy at first, not dropping the name of the film or its director, but provided enough clues to tip us off. (Waving your hands around like you’re holding a lightsaber isn’t exactly subtle.)
“I auditioned for a great director,” Fiennes said as he began his story. “It was whittled down after many auditions to myself and another fine actor who I was at that time at drama school with.”
TheWrap confirmed later that the actor in question was indeed Ewan McGregor. Fiennes and McGregor attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London around the same time.
At first, Fiennes said he was honored.
“His daughter turned around and said ‘I don’t like this guy. He’s weird. I don’t like him.’ And that’s how my audition went,” Fiennes recalled.
And that’s how his “Star Wars” dreams came to a screeching halt. Of course, the role of the venerated Jedi master went to McGregor and the rest is blockbuster history.”
Check out the video at The Wrap.
“Joseph Alberic Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes (/ˈfaɪnz/; born 27 May 1970) is an English film and stage actor.
He is known for his portrayals of William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love (1998), for which he was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, Sir Robert Dudley in Elizabeth (1998), Commisar Danilov in Enemy at the Gates (2001), and Monsignor Timothy Howard in the second season of the TV series American Horror Story (2012–2013). He currently stars in the drama series The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-present).”
Source : Wikipedia