LOS ANGELES – Academy Award-winning actress Jodie Foster surprised “Star Wars” fans by revealing that she was offered the iconic role of Princess Leia. The news came out during her appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon. Foster explained that she was unable to accept the role at the time due to a contractual obligation with a Disney movie. Although she didn’t disclose the name of the film, it is speculated that it may have been “Freaky Friday.”
During the interview, Fallon asked Foster about the rumor, to which she confirmed, “I was, yeah. They were going for a younger Princess Leia but I had a conflict. 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.”
It was Carrie Fisher who ultimately took on the role of Princess Leia in the original “Star Wars” trilogy. Fisher was 19 years old when she appeared as the beloved character, while Foster was just 13 or 14 years old during the filming of the first movie. Foster praised Fisher’s performance, stating, “And 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.”
Fisher continued to portray Princess Leia in four more “Star Wars” films before her passing. She was set to appear in “The Rise of Skywalker,” but her scenes were constructed using unused footage from “The Last Jedi.”
Currently, Foster is generating buzz for her role in the Netflix swimming drama “Nyad,” which is being considered for an Oscar nomination. Additionally, she is set to headline the fourth season of HBO’s “True Detective.”