Five Major Actors Say No to Star Wars: Starfighter – And Toxic Fandom Might Be to Blame
According to industry insider DanielRPK, five well-known actors have reportedly turned down roles in Star Wars: Starfighter, raising questions about what might be driving the hesitation.
Not Just One — Now Five Actors Out
It was already newsworthy when actress Mikey Madison reportedly declined a role in Star Wars: Starfighter. But apparently she wasn’t the only one. Jodie Comer, Jesse Plemons, Greta Lee, and Sarah Snook have all turned down offers to join the film’s cast — bringing the number of reported rejections to five.
Each of them was approached for major supporting roles: Comer, Plemons, and Madison were all considered for villain roles; Greta Lee was offered a part as a cantina owner; and Sarah Snook was tapped to play the main character’s mother.
A Fandom Reputation That’s Hard to Ignore
Online reactions were quick to link the casting struggles to the Star Wars fandom itself — particularly its more toxic corners. “No one wants to be bullied for months by 40-year-old basement dwellers,” one viral post read. Others described the fanbase as “poison” and said the roles simply aren’t worth the paycheck or mental toll. These concerns aren’t new. Over the past decade, several Star Wars actors have faced severe online harassment — often rooted in racism and misogyny.
John Boyega received waves of hate for simply existing as a Black lead in the franchise. Daisy Ridley, who led the sequel trilogy as Rey, was so relentlessly attacked for being a female protagonist that she eventually deleted her social media altogether. Kelly Marie Tran and Moses Ingram both experienced similar abuse. While Disney have occasionally issued public statements — like the one supporting Moses Ingram — many felt those came too late, and lacked real action.
Good for them! That fan base is poison and not worth the headache or the paycheck
— * (@eternalstouch) April 22, 2025
The franchise continues to carry the weight of this toxicity, and many actors seem understandably wary of stepping into that storm again.
Franchise Fatigue: Too Much Star Wars?
On top of that, many fans have started to feel a sense of franchise fatigue. Since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, the volume of Star Wars content has dramatically increased. From sequels and spin-offs to a growing list of Disney+ series. What once felt like a cinematic event now risks becoming routine.
Across fan communities, there’s growing criticism that the quality of storytelling has suffered in favor of quantity. While some recent projects like Andor have been praised, others have felt forgettable or unnecessary. The oversaturation is pushing even longtime fans to disengage — and actors might be responding to that same shift in energy.
Taken together, the toxic fandom culture may be key reasons why even established actors are starting to turn down roles in the Star Wars universe. Signing on to such a massive franchise no longer just means reading a strong script — it also means weighing the potential backlash. What was once considered a dream opportunity for many in the industry has increasingly become a risk, as visibility in this fandom now often comes with intense public scrutiny and online hostility.
Do you think Star Wars can still turn things around? Let us know what you think.