Top 10 Brit Cameos in Star Wars

While most fans recognised the well-rounded tones of Gwendoline Christie, who played Captain Phasma in “The Force Awakens”[1], there were other “Game of Thrones” crossover cameos which you may have missed. Mark Stanley swapped the Night’s Watch for the Knights of Ren for a very brief appearance, but we’ve highlighted Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who plays officer Thanisson. He doesn’t say much, but he says it very well indeed[2].

McGregor’s portrayal of a young Obi-Wan was widely considered a highlight of an otherwise disappointing prequel trilogy, and the actor reprised his role for Episode VII. Although, only for one line. McGregor was invited to record as a last-minute addition to the movie, with his voice featuring at the end of Rey’s vision, when she finds Luke’s lightsaber. McGregor spoke about the experience in an interview with Graham Norton, and revealed that Alec Guinness also features, thanks to ingenious editing.

Though we now know him best as the Dwarf leader Thorin Oakenshield from “The Hobbit”, Richard Armitage’s first major movie part saw him soar as a starfighter pilot in “The Phantom Menace”. However, his role was so small, even the actor himself has admitted to not knowing where he features in the film. Armitage pops up in the background on Naboo, while everyone else is paying closer attention to the likes of Qui-Gon Jinn and Padmé. Still, it’s not every day you share screen time with a Jedi Knight.

Directorial cameos are a trend throughout the “Star Wars” saga, the most famous of which sees George Lucas step out as Papanoida in “Revenge of the Sith”. So, it figures that the Brit directors should have their fun, too. Richard Marquand played an AT-ST pilot in “Return of the Jedi”, but we’ve gone for this fleeting glimpse of Gareth Edwards, toward the end of “Rogue One”. Just in case you didn’t spot him, he’s the rebel soldier who disengages the Tantive IV, effectively saving Princess Leia and co.

The Space Opera saga is supposedly awash with surprising Stormtrooper cameos, but Daniel Craig’s caught more media attention than most. The Bond actor appears in the iconic white armour during a memorable scene in “The Force Awakens”. The clip sees Rey try out her Jedi powers on the First Order guard keeping her captive (AKA Craig). Daisy Ridley’s character eventually gets her way, leaving the duped 007 shaken, and probably quite scared.

“Star Wars” fans know this actor best for playing the ever-present protocol droid, C-3PO. But Anthony Daniels dropped his typically robotic attire for a scene in Episode II, to play Danni Faytonni at the Outlander Club on Coruscant. You need something akin to Jedi powers to spot him, but he is there, just after Obi-Wan’s classic ‘Death sticks’ line and just before he and Anakin capture their target. Bonus points if you spotted Ahmed Best, too. The Jar Jar Binks voice actor is also in this scene.

While much of today’s countdown features blink-and-miss-them extras or single-scene appearances, Peter Serafinowicz provides the voice for a central “Star Wars” character; Darth Maul. While Scot actor and martial artist Ray Park physically portrays the instantly recognisable antagonist of Episode I, Serafinowicz growls through the Sith Lord’s often-ominous dialogue. The comedian’s speaking role might’ve passed you by, as Maul’s a man of few words, but he can duel with the very best of ‘em.

In the lead-up to “The Last Jedi”, Finn actor John Boyega dropped a royal reveal relating to one of his scenes. After weeks of speculation, the actor confirmed that Princes William and Harry would be appearing in Episode VIII, suiting up as Stormtroopers. And they share their scene with Tom Hardy and Gary Barlow. The unlikely foursome are set to stand guard over Finn, flying the flag for Britain as intergalactic bad guys.

To what’s probably the most impactful Brit cameo across the saga, but one that’s also easily missed. Keira Knightley was just twelve years old when she played Sabé, one of Queen Amidala’s handmaidens in “The Phantom Menace”. And while Natalie Portman’s Padmé goes galaxy-hopping with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan, Knightley steps in as her decoy. The actress was picked for her close resemblance to Portman, and the pair reportedly looked so alike during filming that even their own mothers had difficulty telling them apart.

Our winner was one of the worst kept secrets in cinema, but Simon Pegg’s appearance in “The Force Awakens” is also the coolest cameo in “Star Wars”. Pegg plays Unkar Plutt, Jakku’s ruthless junk dealer and Rey’s unpleasant adversary. A role realised under the directorship of his friend JJ Abrams, the part also saw Pegg become just the second actor to complete a gloriously geeky trilogy of his own, having already appeared in “Doctor Who” and “Star Trek” before this “Star Wars” spot. The man’s a nerd on a mission.