Toshiro Mifune Turned Down Obi Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader Roles, Says Daughter (Star Wars)

The Hollywood Reporter ^ | December 3, 2015 | Gavin J. Blair

[W.]

Just finished it, pretty good stuff, what an ending! Found it here, for those interested. It's not dubbed, but is captioned--for those who don't speak Japanese... ;)

[miss marmelstein]

Mifone was always knocked for his voice - it is very gruff and rough. People came to imitate it thinking that all Japanese actors sounded like that. I also like Red Beard - if you can find the scene where he takes on about 5 or 6 ruffians, it’s well worth watching.

[henkster]

He would have been an excellent Governor Tarkin.

[Little Pig]

I know Vader was dubbed; I’ve even seen the test footage where they tried to have the actor inside the suit actually read the lines, and it completely ruins the effect. Granted that TM could have read the lines to be dubbed in, but his real strength is his stage presence, and that would have gotten lost if they had just had him doing voice-over. His voice is more gruff and slightly abrupt, and without much strength behind it, which I think would have lessened Vader’s impact on the screen. In the end, a voice like James Earl Jones, or Brock Peters (who did the voice for the Public Radio drama) allows for a better impact to the character; without a face to emote with, everything has to come through in the voice, and TM’s voice just doesn’t convey “7-foot hulking black-armored giant”.

[Hot Tabasco]

Yoda,

I always thought Yoda should have worn a collar and leash.......

[jmcenanly]

He had already done something similar. The Hidden Fortress, produced in 1958, has much in common with the original Star Wars, including a knight, a rebel princess, and two bickering servants.