The then 14-year-old actress was already signed to a Disney film.
Carrie Fisher will forever be remembered as the iconic Princess Leia in film history. But it turns out that the role was almost taken by another actress. Jodie Foster revealed on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday (January 17) that she had the opportunity to land the role in Star Wars in 1977. However, a Disney commitment prevented her from taking part in the sci-fi film.
“They wanted a younger Princess Leia.”
Speaking to Fallon, the two-time Oscar winner confirmed the rumors: “Yes, [die Rolle] was offered to me. They wanted a younger Princess Leia, but I had a scheduling conflict. I was doing a Disney film and didn’t want to just drop out because I was already signed.”
At the time, Jodie Foster was 14 years old and had filmed the film “Taxi Driver” with Martin Scorsese the previous year.
“Maybe I would have had different hair. Maybe in the shape of a pineapple”
Although she didn’t specifically mention the Disney film that stopped her from taking part in “Star Wars,” it is most likely the 1976 body-swap comedy “Freaky Friday.” The role of Princess Leia ultimately went to the then 19-year-old Carrie Fisher, who made her breakthrough as a Hollywood actress.
Reflecting on her missed opportunity, Foster expressed respect for Fisher’s performance: “She did a great job. I don’t know how good I would have been. Maybe I would have had different hair. Maybe in the shape of a pineapple.”