It's a good time to be a Star Wars fan. With Disney now in control of the property, there has been a massive increase in the production of new installments. Tons of directors and actors are eager to join the galaxy far, far away, although it turns out that one of the new cast members almost turned down his role in the current trilogy. Actor Domhnall Gleeson debuted as the villainous (and somewhat unstable) General Hux in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and is set to reprise the role when The Last Jedi arrives in theaters. But he almost passed on the role, here's why.
Why would I have thought of saying no? Fame is the end goal for a lot of people but it is not mine. I worried that the accompanying fame would get in the way of how I live my life. It got a little crazy for a couple of months -- for a while, going out and having a drink with my friends was difficult, and then it died down.
While many actors would give their right arm to join the Star Wars franchise, Domhnall Gleeson makes a fair point. The brand is so beloved and iconic that it vastly changes the lifestyle of its stars. And while Gleeson was eventually able to regain some sense of normalcy, franchise stars like Daisy Ridley and John Boyega likely didn't get so lucky.
Domhnall Gleeson's comments to RadioTimes seem to break down the sheen of film production, and illuminate the downside to being cast in a franchise like Star Wars. Because while it will cement you in sci-fi history and provide a nice paycheck, the brand's notoriety has the potential to change the lifestyle of its actors. Luckily, it seems that Gleeson has returned a sense of normalcy, at least until The Last Jedi arrives in theaters this December.
This isn't the first massively popular franchise that Domhnall Gleeson has gotten involved with. Before The Force Awakens, he was perhaps best known for his recurring role in the Harry Potter movies. He played Ron's older brother Bill, who joins the Order of the Phoenix after Voldemort rises from the dead. He's eventually disfigured during a skirmish in The Battle Of Seven Potters, and he marries Fleur Delacour in The Deathly Hollows Part 1. Bill's role was much smaller in the movies than the novels, so it's unclear how recognizable Gleeson was when the films were in theaters.
Domhnall Gleeson will reprise his role as General Hux when Star Wars: The Last Jedi arrives in theaters December 15th, and you can catch him in a small role in Darren Aronofky's mother! now. In the meantime, check out our 2017 release list to plan your final trips to the movies before the New Year.
