WI: Obi-Wan Kenobi played by a Japanese actor

I remember reading that George Lucas originally considered a classic Japanese actor to play the part of Obi-Wan. Unfortunately, I can't remember which one, so anyone with greater knowledge can help me here. In any case, if this had gone ahead, who would be the most likely to play prequel Obi-Wan?
 
I remember reading that George Lucas originally considered a classic Japanese actor to play the part of Obi-Wan. Unfortunately, I can't remember which one, so anyone with greater knowledge can help me here. In any case, if this had gone ahead, who would be the most likely to play prequel Obi-Wan?

Do you even realize what you're postulating? If Obi-Wan is Japanese in The Phantom Menace, there will be even more Lucas-bashing from fans unable to reconcile this with the Original Trilogy.
 
Do you even realize what you're postulating? If Obi-Wan is Japanese in The Phantom Menace, there will be even more Lucas-bashing from fans unable to reconcile this with the Original Trilogy.

No, he was intending a Japanese actor for Obi-wan in the seventies, but said actor died and he chose Alec Guiness. I was asking who would have played him in the prequels had Guiness not taken the role.
 
I mean the new movie.


Wait!!!


George Takei plays Obi Wan in the originals!!!! That would be cool.
 

Xen

Banned
Would he be known enough though? Does anyone know of other Asians who would be fitting to the part around 1999?

Jet Li, he is a Star Wars fan too, I remember reading he was hoping to be cast somewhere in one of the Prequels.
 
Jet Li, he is a Star Wars fan too, I remember reading he was hoping to be cast somewhere in one of the Prequels.

Jet Li? In Star Wars? As Obi-Wan Kenobi?

Thank you. My head has exploded from thinking of the awesomeness that would ensure. :D
 
Toshiro Mifune was the original choice for Old Obi-wan.
Considering Mifune's usual movie Roles were Yakuzas and samurai, and did play a God, Macbeth, a Doctor, a sub Commander and a Benshi, he would be able to pull it off.
A gruffer Obi-wan would be intresting.

as for the New films, you need someone simular.....
Maybe Jason Scott Lee could pull it off.
Maybe.
 
How about James Shigeta? He was only in his 40s, but a year before Star Wars he had played 55 year old Admiral Nagumo in "Midway".
 
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