Since Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, there’s been a debate about whetherStar Warswas better before or after the House of Mouse took over, but no matter your opinion, there’s one recast that I think is better than anything. WithDisney buyingStar Wars, it was clear that there was a potential for more and more projects to be developed, something we’ve seen with the rise of Disney+ and streaming television.
In fact,Star Warshasn’t released a film or TV showanywhere but Disney+ since 2019’sStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Many of the projects thatStar Warshas released in recent years have done a good job of enriching the already-established canon, providing character deep-dives, origin stories, and filling in plot holes from other content. Fan-favoriteStar Warsshows likeThe MandalorianandAndorhave been expanding and diving into the lore behind some of the franchise’s best characters and histories.
One such story,Obi-Wan Kenobi, dove into lost time between the prequel and original trilogies. The show featured returning characters like the titular Obi-Wan, and also included Hayden Christensen’s return as Darth Vader and Joel Edgerton as Owen Lars. It also featured what has undoubtedly become the franchise’s best recast, bringing an original character back to life in a perfect way.
Vivien Lyra Blair Is Absolutely Perfect As The Young Princess Leia
The Debate About Recasting Changed With Blair
ForObi-Wan Kenobi, fans originally thought that the show would follow Obi-Wan on a journey on Tatooine and heavily feature a young Luke Skywalker. However, the show ended up bringing Kenobi together with a young Princess Leia Organa, played in the show by Vivien Lyra Blair. The now-12-year-old was mainly known for her role in the filmBird Box, but really showed her range inObi-Wan Kenobi.
It would be hard for any actor to step into a role as iconic as Princess Leia, but Blair did it with ease,bringing her own innocence and spunk to the role. Blair’s performance as Princess Leia helped inform so much about her character that we see in later titles. For example, we get to see Leia with her parents, Breha and Bail Organa, for the first time onscreen.
Individually, we knew so much about their relationship and their characters, butseeing them together showcases just how close the bond was between Leia and her parents. Any character that interacted with Blair’s Leia had instant chemistry, something that is hard even for well-seasoned actors.
Blair Proved That Recasts Can Work With Icons
With the death of Carrie Fisher and the aging of theoriginalStar Warstrilogy actors, there’s been a lot of debate about whether these characters should be recast. WhileSolo: A Star Wars Storyrecast two mainStar Warscharacters in Han Solo and Lando Calrissian,many fans didn’t see the need to tell an origin story that recast one of the most recognizable characters in movie history.After thefailure ofSolo, it seemed that Disney didn’t want to recast any other iconic characters.
Carrie Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, briefly played Leia inThe Rise of Skywalkerin a flashback.
However,with the success of Blair’s Leia, that conversation has opened back up in a way that could mean more stories told about our favoriteStar Warscharacters.While a young actor needed to be cast to portray someone so young, there have been ongoing debates about whatStar Warsshould do about Leia Organa in theNew Republic Era.
Most recently, inAhsokaseason 1, Leia sent C-3PO in her stead to save Hera Syndulla, which avoided the need to recast for that specific moment. Many people, however, believe that moving forward, Leia should appear, and that it should be Carrie Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd, who takes over the role.
Carrie Fisher Would’ve Loved Vivien Lyra Blair Off-Screen Too
Blair Has Fisher’s Tenacity Off-Screen
During and even after theObi-Wan Kenobipress tour,Vivien Lyra Blair stole hearts by consistently poking fun at her co-star Ewan McGregor. While it’s all in good fun, Blair’s ability to get laughs from the crowd is reminiscent of Carrie Fisher’s wise-cracking attitude. The two would have been hilarious together, and it was clear that anyone on stage with them wouldn’t have been safe from a well-timed roast.
With so much concern for the continuity of these characters throughout the entireStar Warstimeline, it’s clear that actors taking on these iconic roles truly have to embody the characters.
With so much concern for the continuity of these characters throughout the entireStar Warstimeline, it’s clear that actors taking on these iconic roles truly have to embody the characters. Trying to imitate the actors who played the characters doesn’t lead to successful results, but knowing the character helps make for a more convincing performance. WhileStar Warshas certainly had some hits and misses when it comes to recasting, the success of Vivien Lyra Blair inObi-Wan Kenobiis proof that recasting should continue, but with extreme caution.
