George Lucas Wanted Toshiro Mifune For Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars l Film Trivia Expanded

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When looking at creating an original series in the Star Wars franchise, George Lucas took a great deal of inspriation from the film's of legendary Japaense filmmaker, Akira Kurosawa. To the point that the Jedi Knights are clearly inspired by the Samurai of Japan.

Notably, George Lucas was keen to get Japanese actor and frequent colloborator with Akira Kurosawa, Toshiro Mifune isn a role in Star Wars. Lucas had first approached Mifune for the role of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi aka Ben Kenobi, only to be turned down by the actor. Lucas even attempted to hire Mifune to play Darth Vader but he turned down that role too.

Lucas looked at the star power of Alec Guinness after being turned down by Toshiro Mifune. Guiness was the highest paid person for his work on Star Wars and even managed to secure a bonus of around 2.25 and 2.5% depending on who you ask. Guiness famously didn't love the role despite receiving an Academy Award nomination, as well has having his work introduced to a new genreation of moviegoers.

Other than looking at hiring Toshiro Mifune for the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the influence that the films of Akira Kurosawa had on George Lucas and the Wars franchise is clearly very obvious. Many will point out that many of the plot beats and characters from Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress was lifted by George Lucas and used in Star Wars a New Hope.

We could have got a very different set of films had Mifune been cast as Obi-Wan. The prequels would have looked different and perhaps Ewan McGregor wouldn't have had his breakout role.

From the lightsaber being the Katana, the robes of a jedi being a Kimono and the armour of Vader being influenced by a Samurai helmet and Mempo, the influence and iconography of Kurosawa and Samurai movies is crystal clear.