There is little doubt that O'Shea Jackson Jr. is already hyped up about being part of the cast of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. However, his mysterious role in the Star Wars show isn't the first one that the Straight Outta Compton actor auditioned for. Jackson has just admitted that he tried out for the role of the young Lando Calrissian but failing it almost made him quit acting!
Jackson recently spoke to Collider about his upcoming AppleTV+ series Swagger. However, the Godzilla: King of the Monsters actor also discussed his Star Wars project. Interestingly, Jackson confirmed that he tried out for a different role in the Star Wars Universe. Unfortunately, he didn't get the part and it was truly devastating for him.
"I'm a real big Star Wars fan. I had auditioned for Lando for the Solo [A Star Wars Story] film, and when I didn't get it, it crushed me," Jackson said. "I was like, 'You know what? I quit. I'm going back to being a writer. I'm done.'"
Although that could have been the end for Jackson, he was given another chance to join the Star Wars Universe.
"I was filming Swagger, and my agents were like, 'Yo, we need you free in the next two days, noon.' I'm like, 'All right.' They're like, 'Just listen. You want to take this meeting,'" Jackson said.
Luckily, the Ingrid Goes West star went to the meeting where he got the chance to speak with Obi-Wan Kenobi director Deborah Chow. Jackson then pointed out that he is excited to talk about the show but is wary of sharing too much.
"Shout out to Lord Deb. Deborah Chow. She gave me an opportunity of a lifetime and it's a... God, I can't wait to talk about it so bad," he said. "I want to talk about it so bad, but I know Mickey probably still has my phone bugged, and I just love my family."
It's disappointing that Jackson didn't land the role of Lando in Solo and the part went to Donald Glover. Still, it gave Jackson the chance to play what could be a completely new character in the Star Wars Universe. With that in mind, we can't wait to find out who he is playing in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
The Kenobi show will bring back Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Joel Edgerton, and Bonnie Piesse. The other new cast members include Moses Ingram, Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, Sung Kang, Simone Kessell, Benny Safdie, and Maya Erskine.
Obi-Wan Kenobi has not yet been given an official release date. However, the Star Wars series is already expected to premiere on Disney+ in 2022.
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