Evangeline Lilly wanted to play Princess Leia in J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

I can't imagine that there are many of us who didn't desperately desire to be one or more of our favourite characters at some point in our lives, but there are a select few who actually got to live that dream. Unfortunately, Evangeline Lilly (ANT-MAN AND THE WASP) is not one of them, yet.

While speaking with Syfy for an interview covering everything from Lost to THE HOBBIT to ANT-MAN, Evangeline Lilly mentioned that there has just been one time in her career when she actively asked to be part of a project. When Disney bought Lucasfilm and announced that they would be bringing STAR WARS back, Lilly thought that she had an in when J.J. Abrams, co-creator of Lost, was set to direct. Lilly's dream: to play Princess Leia. "Several years ago, when I found out that J.J. Abrams was remaking, or rebooting, the Star Wars franchise, it was the only time in my career that I’ve ever put a call out," Lilly said. "I wanted to be Leia. If I got to be a woodland elf and Kate from Lost and Leia, that would cover it. And then I got to be the Wasp! That’s all the big franchises." Unfortunately for Lilly, an actress by the name of Carrie Fisher already had the gig.

I was so in love with Leia when I was a little girl. Those were my two fantasies – to be a woodland elf and to be Leia tied to Jabba the Hutt in her sexy bikini. But then they called me back and said, 'Well, there’s a little-known actress called Carrie Fisher who will be playing Princess Leia.' Well, FINE, I guess that’s OK.

If Disney continues pumping out STAR WARS movies until we've all become one with the Force, perhaps Evangeline Lilly will get her chance sometime down the road. What do you folks think? Would Evangeline Lilly make a good Princess Leia? I can see it now, LEIA: A STAR WARS STORY.