The Most Popular Boy Band Was Supposed To Have Star Wars Jedi Roles
The late 1990s and early 2000s are remembered for a number of major pop culture movements. Wallet chains, denim everything, Britney Spears, NSYNC, and the Star Wars prequels helmed by George Lucas, all seemed to be completely inescapable for their time. According to a recent write-up from The Hollywood Reporter, the Justin Timberlake-led boy band nearly had a major crossover event with the Hayden Christensen trilogy, as the band was originally slated to appear in 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones in cameo appearances.
NSYNC is the greatest boy band of all time, sorry Nick Lachey, and in 2002, they almost appeared in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
Though the thought of NSYNC appearing in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones may sound jarring in hindsight, it’s almost more shocking that the cameo didn’t happen. The band recently reunited for a recent appearance on the hit YouTube series Hot Ones, which sees celebrities answering interview questions from the host Sean Evans while eating progressively spicier chicken wings, prompting the members to reflect on their Star Wars roles.
Apparently, three members of NSYNC were confirmed to appear in Star Wars, even receiving fight choreography for their scenes in order to handle lightsabers on set. This means that the boy band’s cameo was set to consist of more than just a background appearance or a simple wink and nod to the camera, but that the trio was going to be engaging in physical combat during the events of the Clone Wars.
Apparently, three members of NSYNC were confirmed to appear in Star Wars, even receiving fight choreography for their scenes in order to handle lightsabers on set.
While the footage was eventually cut from the final film and ultimately lost to time, the cameo certainly would have cemented the film as a time capsule for 2002, perhaps even more so than the now-dated CGI which was used to bring much of the film to life.
The three NSYNC members who were set to appear in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones were Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, and frequent Impractical Jokers collaborator Joey Fatone. Lance Bass and Justin Timberlake were apparently not part of the Star Wars cameo appearance, prompting Timberlake to jest during the Hot Ones interview that he and Bass were offended and hurt by their exclusion. Timberlake did add that he was relieved when the cameo was ultimately cut from the film, while Joey Fatone expressed regret that he couldn’t have gotten a video of the scene for himself.
The three NSYNC members who were set to appear in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones were Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, and frequent Impractical Jokers collaborator Joey Fatone.
In addition to the NSYNC Star Wars cameo, the gang discussed a number of career-defining moments during Hot Ones, including the band’s status as a meme icon for the new generation on social media. Specifically, the band’s 2000 smash hit single “It’s Gonna Be Me” was referenced, since the song has become a meme due to Justin Timberlake’s exaggerated vocal delivery. NSYNC iconic look also serves as a throwback image to remind fans of the popular fashion and hairstyles of the early 2000s, which have seemingly just become old enough to qualify for nostalgia bait online.
NSYNC has officially reunited for a new single titled “Better Place” which is set to drop on September 29, though fans shouldn’t expect them to pop up in any Star Wars media any time soon. Of course, the band’s new track is slated to appear in the upcoming Trolls Band Together film this November, so the possibility of a Disney film cameo is not completely off the table.
