June 7, 2025: Hollywood’s newest breakout star, Mikey Madison, is riding high on critical acclaim following her award-winning turn in Anora — but behind the scenes, she was nearly set to take on a role in one of cinema’s most iconic franchises: Star Wars.
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In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, it was revealed that Madison was seriously considered for a major role in an upcoming Star Wars film directed by Shawn Levy and rumored to star Ryan Gosling. While the role ultimately didn’t materialize, industry insiders confirm that talks were real and advanced, adding another surprising “what if” moment to Madison’s fast-rising career.
The untitled Star Wars project — in development since 2022 — is Levy’s vision to break away from the saga’s familiar timeline. In his own words, the director stated:
“There’s only so many times Star Wars movies can revisit the same section of the timeline… I’m not interested in making something redundant. I want to tell a new story.”
That bold creative direction is exactly what drew Madison’s interest. Known for her preference for unconventional roles, the actor reportedly admired Levy’s approach and the film’s fresh narrative take. The fact that Ryan Gosling was attached only added to the intrigue.
Madison, who has been incredibly selective about her next moves post-Anora, has other unexpected projects in the pipeline — including Reptilia, a surreal love story between a dental hygienist and a mermaid, directed by Alejandro Landes.
While she didn’t join the galaxy far, far away (at least not yet), Madison’s near-casting has left fans buzzing. It also cements her position as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand young talents — someone capable of leaping from Cannes arthouse acclaim to blockbuster franchises with ease.
Having already worked with legends like Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and starred in Scream 5, Madison’s career trajectory shows no signs of slowing. If Star Wars missed her this time, there’s no doubt the galaxy — or something even bigger — may call again.
Fresh off her breakout performance in Anora — one of the year’s most buzzed-about films — Mikey Madison is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most intriguing rising stars. At just 26, she’s already a BAFTA and Independent Spirit Award winner, and her name is now on nearly every major director’s wish list.
But what many fans don’t know is that Madison was nearly part of one of the biggest cinematic universes of all time — Star Wars.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Madison revealed just how selective she’s been in choosing her next steps after Anora’s celebrated debut at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Among the unexpected projects she pursued? An offbeat indie romance called Reptilia, and — to the surprise of many — a role in an upcoming Star Wars film directed by Shawn Levy, rumored to star Ryan Gosling.
Though she didn’t disclose how far she got in the casting process, industry insiders confirm that Mikey Madison was seriously considered for a key role in Levy’s Star Wars installment. The project, still shrouded in secrecy, has been in development at Lucasfilm since 2022, with Levy aiming to take the franchise in a fresh, bold direction.
“I don’t want to do a Star Wars movie that is redundant to others,” Levy said in a recent podcast appearance. “This process has really made me think hard about how to break new ground within the universe.”
That kind of risk-taking approach is exactly what’s been defining Madison’s post-Anora career. Her decision to pursue Star Wars — and ultimately walk away — speaks volumes about her growing influence and unconventional instincts as an actor. With a resume already including standout roles in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Scream 5, Madison is carving out a path that values storytelling over spectacle, and substance over status.
While she didn’t board the Star Wars galaxy this time, the “almost” moment has added a fascinating chapter to her rapidly rising career — and left fans wondering: will the Force call her again someday?