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The name Orson Welles does ring a bell whenever we talk about Star Wars - yes, he was the first person who was considered to play the voice of Darth Vader, an iconic creation of George Lucas in an everlasting sci-fi legacy. While Jones' contribution to the franchise has been unparalleled over the years, it is also worth mentioning how an equally potential star (Welles) & a movie legend was among the first two choices.
It was initially, per reports, difficult for George Lucas to reach a conclusion about whose voice could do justice to the intensity of a villain like Darth Vader. According to Page Six, he recalled (back in 2015) that he needed something that had to be 'very special'. Lucas further reportedly mentioned that he thought fans would very easily recognize Welles' voice and it's at that point when his 'tough choice' seemed quite easy. To quote his exact words:
"And I had to make a choice — a choice that was a tough choice, but an easy choice, really — between Orson Welles and James Earl Jones . . . Jones won hands down."
Orson Welles was among the first choices to play Darth Vader's voice in Star Wars
While the late James Earl Jones is quite well-known for his unique baritone (that did quite fit Darth Vader), it did not stop creator George Lucas to experiment with things. Even though Jones was the perfect fit for the character, Lucas had approached film icon and Academy Award winner, the late Orson Welles before making the first movie (Star Wars: A New Hope, 1977).
Furthermore, Jones had mentioned at that time that he "was out of work" and after having contacted Welles, Lucas reached out to him saying (as Jones said in his statement):
"Do you want a day’s work?"
Thus, a legend was created but the Star Wars franchise would have been a lot different had Welles been cast in the role of Vader. Lucas did not want the audience to easily figure out who is standing behind the fearful villain and thus, he did not get Orson Welles on-board (who was by that time quite famous and had a voice that would have been easily recognizable).
To quote Lucas' words, per Page Six:
"I created a villain . . . I knew the voice had to be very, very special."
More about Orson Welles
Orson Welles was an American filmmaker and actor whose influence on the industry has been profound - not to mention his creative prowess. Citizen Kane, a 1941 drama film, was Welles' big screen entry which he himself produced and starred in.
Orson Welles is also known for his contribution to a number of classics like Jane Eyre (1943), The Lady From Shanghai (1948), Othello (1951), and The Trial (1962). His accolades comprise an Oscar, a Grammy, AFI Life Achievement Award as well as nominations for other big awards like Golden Globes & BAFTA. Back in 1982, the late Orson Welles was also bestowed with the Legion of Honour (France's highest order of merit and the most prestigious recognition).
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Also Read: Vader: a Greek tragedy in a galaxy far, far away
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