The Big Picture

• Tom Hanks nearly had a cameo in a Star Wars film, specifically in Solo: A Star Wars Story as a stormtrooper.
• Many other famous actors have had stormtrooper cameos in Star Wars films and shows, though they are not easy to spot.
• Despite not being able to appear in Solo, Hanks seems open to participating in a Star Wars project in the future.

Since its release, Star Wars has grown in popularity to the point that anyone can recognize the most iconic elements. With so many fans, it's no surprise that even huge celebrities are interested in the franchise. From David Tennant to Jack Black, Star Wars has included many interesting cameos, but the most surprising cameos are the ones that didn't happen. In his recent interview with Josh Horowitz's podcast, Happy Sad Confused, Tom Hanks revealed that he nearly appeared in Star Wars. As Hanks is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable actors around, it would make sense for him to be found in such an iconic series, but his appearance never happened. Hanks' career ranges widely from Saving Private Ryan to Forrest Gump to Toy Story and so much more. But any Star Wars-related project has yet to appear in his filmography.

Since the beginning of George Lucas' story in 1977, the franchise's popularity has grown at an unparalleled rate. Now Star Wars is one of, if not the, largest franchises. Though certainly many actors almost appeared in Star Wars simply due to the number of projects over the years, Tom Hanks' canceled cameo is a surprise. However, the surprise is less that it nearly happened and more that no one knew until now. In recent years, the Star Wars franchise has been expanding rapidly. When Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, they started adding installments at a rapid rate. With a new film trilogy, anthology films, and TV shows, both animated and live-action, the company focused relentlessly on creating more Star Wars content. Yet all these projects have been watched closely by the fans, with any scrap of news becoming a major and usually contentious conversation. But Tom Hanks' near cameo escaped notice. Most likely, this is because not only was it never shot, but even if it had been, Hanks' face wouldn't appear on the screen.

What Role Was Tom Hanks Going to Play in 'Star Wars'?

Tom Hanks wasn't up for a major role in the franchise and would only have appeared in a cameo, which, by nature, is a small role. So, even had he gotten the chance, his role wouldn't have drastically changed the story. It's not like he nearly played Luke Skywalker or anything that significant. In fact, even by cameo standards, Hanks' would have been small. Had it worked, Tom Hanks' Star Wars role would have been a stormtrooper in the film Solo: A Star Wars Story. Directed by Ron Howard, the anthology follows a young Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) as he ventures into the galaxy, still full of hope. As an origin story, it shows the beginning of Han's connection with Chewbacca, his history with Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), and his famous, record-breaking flight through Kessel Run.

In the film, Han travels through a broken galaxy under Empire control and gets caught up in the rampant criminal underworld, meaning there is no shortage of stormtroopers whom Hanks could have played. Solo: A Star Wars Story is not short on familiar actors, with Woody Harrelson and Emilia Clarke in leading roles. Though it would not have been too noticeable, Hanks' cameo would have fit right in. However, Solo received mixed reviews and ultimately did not reach the studio's expectations at the box office. The nature of what Hanks would have done had the role come to fruition isn't clear. Certainly, there would be plenty of opportunities with the prevalence of stormtroopers at that time and the wide variety of them featured in the film. But whatever capacity Hanks appeared in would have been a cool, if subtle, addition.

Which Actors Have Had Stormtrooper Cameos?

While it can sometimes be jarring to see such a recognizable face pop up in franchises where they don't seem to fit, it's a shame to hide a memorable actor behind a helmet, especially for a small part. But it wouldn't be the first time Star Wars used stormtrooper armor to obscure recognizable celebrities' faces. In fact, many familiar people have played stormtroopers in recent Star Wars films and shows. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, which was the first film in the sequel trilogy, included several. As Hanks discussed in the interview, James Bond actor Daniel Craig was the stormtrooper influenced by Rey (Daisy Ridley) as she uses the Force. Ben Schwartz lent his voice to the droid, BB-8, and played a stormtrooper as well. The Force Awakens also featured Kevin Smith hiding in stormtrooper armor. British princes, William and Harry, filmed a scene as stormtroopers for the film though it was ultimately cut from the film.

The final installment of the newest trilogy, Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, has its fair share of famous stormtroopers, with Stephen Colbert, Ed Sheeran, and Karl Urban all donning the helmet. Sheeran also played an alien member of the Resistance, though never got to speak. And Urban got a single line saying, "the Knights of Ren," as the group of warriors pass by. Star Wars TV has not been immune to this phenomenon either. The Season 1 finale of The Mandalorian has a pair of stormtroopers played by Jason Sudeikis and Adam Pally. There are many more cameos in Star Wars, but the use of stormtroopers for these moments is a common trick. With so many similar cameos, Hanks' appearance would have fit right in.

Could Tom Hanks Play a 'Star Wars' Role in the Future?

In this case, it was not a failed audition or anything that dramatic, but scheduling conflicts that prevented Tom Hanks from participating in Solo. In his interview, he insisted that he would have done it otherwise. He even gushed about the stormtroopers themselves. Hanks' enthusiasm, and the fact that he discussed it five years after the film's release, indicates that he is a fan of the franchise and would love to appear in any capacity. Being who he is, Hanks would likely only have to say the word to get a second chance.

More Star Wars content is being made all the time. The Mandalorian Season 4, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, and Andor Season 2 will be coming to Disney+ in the not-too-distant future. Several more Star Wars shows are also in development. Star Wars films aren't over either, with Taika Watiti and Dave Filoni taking the helm of their own films, though the timeline for all of these is still ambiguous. Plus, more Star Wars projects are announced all the time. It is nearly assured that each of these stories will have stormtroopers of some sort simply because of the world where they take place. And, with the history of cameos obscured by stormtrooper helmets, Hanks would fit right in should he try again. If Tom Hanks still wants to wear the armor, he has plenty of opportunities. His schedule just needs to calm down enough to see it through.

Solo: Star Wars Story is available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.

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