One of my favorite Japanese actors could have been cast in the role of one of two iconic characters from movie history…but he decided not to, according to his daughter. Bummer…it meant he would have learned his lines phonetically, just like he did with “Midway”:

Mifune ultimately turned down the role of Obi-Wan because he thought “Star Wars” was just going to be a kids’ movie, and obviously the alleged counter-offer of Vader didn’t convince him otherwise. It was all probably for the best (where would we be without that nightmares-inducing Vader mask?), but the what-if? scenario certainly conjures amusing visions of Darth Vader as an angry (and probably bearded) Japanese man.
One thing’s for sure — if Mifune had accepted either role, it would’ve made for one hell of a lightsaber duel.

Indeed! It’s time for the Overnight Open Thread!