Rising Hollywood star Mikey Madison almost made the jump from indie cinema to intergalactic adventure, as new details reveal she was once in talks for a role in Shawn Levy’s upcoming Star Wars film, which is set to star Ryan Gosling. The news comes as Madison continues to ride the wave of acclaim following her breakout performance in Anora, a film that has catapulted her into the spotlight and earned her a BAFTA and an Independent Spirit Award.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Madison opened up about her selective post-Anora career choices. Since the film’s debut at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, she has been carefully curating her roles, one of which was Reptilia, a fantastical romance about a dental hygienist who falls in love with a mermaid, directed by Alejandro Landes. But the most surprising project she considered was a galaxy far, far away.
For months, industry insiders speculated that Mikey Madison had been in contention for a major part in Shawn Levy’s highly anticipated Star Wars project, which has been under development at Lucasfilm since 2022. Though she didn’t disclose exactly how far the talks progressed, the buzz was substantial. Levy, known for his work on Stranger Things and Free Guy, has expressed interest in creating a Star Wars story that breaks away from the repetitive elements of the franchise’s timeline.
During a podcast appearance, Levy stated, “There’s only so many times that Star Wars movies can revisit the same section of the timeline… I want to make something that doesn’t feel redundant.” That creative vision may have aligned perfectly with Madison’s penchant for offbeat and bold character choices, which have defined her career so far.
Though the role didn’t pan out, the near casting remains a significant “what could have been” in Madison’s evolving journey. Prior to Anora, she portrayed cult member Susan Atkins in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) and had a standout part in Scream 5 (2022). At just 26, Madison has rapidly become a name that filmmakers want on their roster.
While lightsabers may not be in her immediate future, the door to the Star Wars universe might still be open. For now, Mikey Madison continues to command attention in Hollywood with her unique roles and bold career trajectory.
