Tupac's Brother, Mopreme Shakur, Says Tupac Was Almost Cast In Star Wars Because Of Samuel L. Jackson

Vladtv - In a recent interview with 'Art of Dialogue,' Mopreme Shakur discussed how he came to be featured in the hit song "Feels Good" by Tony Toni Toné. He attributes it all to following his dreams and investing in himself. Mopreme noted he was in the studio working on his demo and happened to catch the attention of the producer, who happened to be the brother of the bassist for the group. This led to him being allowed to be on the song, as MC Hammer was initially considered for the feature. Along with that, Shakur spoke about Tupac being considered for 'Star Wars,' due to his relationship with Samuel L. Jackson.

So this was one of those headlines I saw and thought to myself, "there is negative infinity chance that Death Row, "Hit 'Em Up" era Tupac would have been in George Lucas' Star Wars prequels. Because Samuel L. Jackson was vouching for him? Come on man. I love Sam Jackson as much as the next guy, but he doesn't have that much pull does he? 

So I went to the most trusted Star Wars source I know, Robbie Fox (on today's rundown), and asked him. He told me there's actually a decent chance this happened because Samuel L. actually did have that much sway with George Lucas and he pointed to him requesting a purple light saber from Lucas, Lucas turning him down, Jackson refusing to take no for an answer, before Lucas finally gave in. 

Then I decided to look this up and I came across this article from Rolling Stone about how Tupac actually auditioned to be a jedi, and that Samuel L. actually got the part...

SOMETIME BEFORE HIS death, Tupac Shakur reportedly auditioned to play Jedi Master Mace Windu in the 1999 movie Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Rick Clifford, who worked as an engineer at Death Row Records, said in a recent interview for the website 2Pac-Forum that Shakur told him he had gone for a reading with George Lucas but that the part went to Samuel L. Jackson.

“‘Pac found out that I worked for Brian Austin Green, who was on 90210, then he found out I [worked on] some movies, so we always talked about his film career and stuff,” Clifford said. “He was telling me that he was supposed to read for George Lucas and them. They wanted him to be a Jedi. I’m serious. Samuel L. [Jackson] got Tupac’s part. [Tupac] said [to me], ‘Old man, keep your fingers crossed.’ He said, ‘I’ve got three movies coming up. One of them, I’ve got to read for George Lucas.'”

Samuel L. and Tupac were actually in Juice together and I wouldn't be surprised if Tupac asked Jackson to find a way to get him in the film once he found out Jackson got the part over him. 

Only problem is even if he did get the part it wouldn't have came to fruition because by the time taping began on Phantom Menace in 1997, Tupad had already been dead for almost a year. 

Regardless, what a wild layer that would have been to the Star Wars universe man. Tupac Shakur as jedi Mace Windu…