Martin Freeman reveals he was turned down for role in Star Wars because ‘they preferred other British actors’
Martin Freeman – actual Tim Canterbury from The Office – has revealed he was once considered to join the rebooted Star Wars franchise.
Alas it wasn’t meant to be for the 46-year-old – who is probably best known for his portrayal of Wernham Hogg sales rep Tim and Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit – as he revealed in an interview with JOE that the Star Wars top dogs preferred other British actors over him, despite being approached by them first.
He said: ‘No, not directly. Indirectly, yeah. I had a chat with the folks a few years ago.
‘But no, it’s been at the right thing. Yeah, there are other British actors that they prefer over me.’
Martin joined the Marvel Universe as Deputy Task Force Commander of the Joint Counterterrorism Centeras Everett K. Ross, most recently starring in cinematic smash hit Black Panther.
And although he wasn’t picked for the role, he said he’d still be well up for being part of the Star Wars universe.
He said: ‘Well of course. Of course, I’d be.’
Freeman first appeared as Ross in Captain America: Civil War, but most recently reprised his role in Black Panther, and admitted his character goes through an ‘enlightening journey’.
He said in November: ‘I’m the government guy. I’m the CIA guy called Everett Ross, who was a character in the comics as well, who sort of has an uneasy peace with T’Challa, who is the Black Panther.
‘And my character goes on a strange journey, an enlightening journey to Wakanda, which is the fictional African country. It’s really good.’
The film follows T’Challla (Chadwick Boseman) who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to take the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king.
Ross was created by Christopher Priest and Kenny Martinez and first appeared in the Ka-Zar Vol. 3, #17 comic book back in 1998. The character became a major character and ally in the Black Panther comics.
The film sees Boseman returning as the titular role as well as Andy Serkis who will be back as Ulysses Klaue – who first appeared in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Black Panther is in cinemas now.
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