Star Wars has fans all over the world, but New Zealand certainly can claim to have one of the biggest fanbases of the franchise. Star Wars Day on May 4th is a big occasion in New Zealand, with many Kiwis celebrating by cosplaying as their favourite characters and revisiting classic Star Wars films and shows.
If you walk through the streets of any New Zealand city, the odds aren’t long that you’ll see someone wearing a cool Star Wars shirt. Want to meet fellow Star Wars fans? There are fan clubs you can join. Looking for some fun Star Wars-themed slots to play? Online casinos in New Zealand have you covered.
While many New Zealanders are avid Star Wars fans, some are actively building the franchise. Renowned Kiwi director Taika Waititi is developing a Star Wars film. A release date is still unknown, but it’s one of the most anticipated Star Wars projects in the pipeline.
But we are not here today to talk about Waititi. Instead, we will introduce you to the man who has brought several characters in the Star Wars franchise to life: Temuera Morrison.
Which Characters Did Temuera Morrison Play in Star Wars?
There are many top-tier Hollywood stars who auditioned for Star Wars roles but fell short. Morrison hit the jackpot though, starring in multiple roles and appearing across several properties within the franchise.
He originally played bounty hunter Jango Fett in Attack of the Clones, and his likeness was used for every clone trooper in Revenge of the Sith. Later, he also took on the role of Jango’s son, Boba Fett.
After appearing on “The Mandalorian” as Boba Fett, Morrison told the Washington Post that he would like to play a few more Star Wars characters, if he gets the chance. Bringing the original bounty hunter back after the sarlacc pit ordeal was a remarkable experience for the actor, but portraying another iconic character is still on his wish list.
“Well, there are people – I’m thinking of Captain Rex for one,” he said. “He looks a little like me. There’s Commander Cody. What happened to those guys? There are all those clone armies. That could be something fresh and new and exciting.”
Since he’s already played so many roles in the series, we wouldn’t bet against the Rotorua native taking on another intergalactic adventure as a different character.
Industry insider Daniel Richtman reports that Morrison’s wish may have already come true. He believes we will see Morrison as Captain Rex in Ahsoka Season 2. Disney and LucasFilms have not corroborated the claim, but there is a strong possibility that it’s going to happen.
Even though we didn’t see his face, Captain Rex did appear in the first season of Ahsoka, and it was Morrison who voiced the character.
It’s a perfect opportunity to bring beloved characters to life since Temuera was essentially the model for every clone. In theory, he can step into the role of any clone trooper in future series or films.
How Did Temuera Morrison Get Cast in Star Wars?
Morrison became famous for his role as Jake ‘The Muss’ Heke in the 1994 film “Once Were Warriors”. The film received widespread applause in New Zealand, and also garnered international attention. So much so that George Lucas watched the film and decided to cast Morrison in Attack of the Clones.
Also, the production for Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith was done in New Zealand and Australia like many other Hollywood projects for tax benefits. This also opened the door for Morrison, and his charm quickly made him a fan favourite in the series.