Justin Timberlake Left NSync Because Of Star Wars?
This just in (via ComicBook.com)—during NSync’s heyday, the beloved boy band auditioned for George Lucas’s Star Wars prequel, Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones. Aiming for coveted roles as Jedi (who wouldn’t want to be a Jedi?), ultimately, only three members of the globally adored boy band were cast: Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, and Joey Fatone. Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass failed to land roles and fans can’t help but ask: could this have played a role in the group’s breakup?
Intrigue abounds.
The band reunited following a ten-year hiatus (which felt like a century for its devotees), marking their return with a comeback performance at the MTV VMAs.
Indeed, it’s a bit of news no one probably expected to hear–uncovering a fun, albeit indirect, link between Justin Timberlake’s departure from NSync and Star Wars. But the recent revelations from the band members—amidst their media appearances surrounding their first song together in over two decades—hint at a little professional envy stemming from George Lucas’s universe.
All this during a year marked by a tsunami-sized wave of nostalgia for NSync fans. The band reunited following a ten-year hiatus (which felt like a century for its devotees), marking their return with a comeback performance at the MTV VMAs.
In the wake of their exciting return to the stage, the group put out “Better Place”—a song itself part of the Trolls Band Together soundtrack. The bombshell that Justin Timberlake nearly landed a role in Star Wars–and, who knows, might have left the band once he failed to snag said role–emerged in the recent press tour promoting the song.
One such show/podcast the “Bye Bye Bye” crew graced was hot-sauce-centric Hot Ones. Host Sean Evens revisited a little-known piece of pop-culture trivia there, asking if NSync members were cast as Jedi Warriors in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.
In the end, the tale of NSync’s brief brush with the galaxy far, far away serves as a fun reminder of how unpredictable the entertainment industry can be.
Shock of shockers–Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, and Joey Fatone confirmed they–and they alone–were the ones cast in those roles. Sadly, as Justin Timberlake reminisced, only this select trio made it into the Star Wars universe. Hilariously, though, all three were eventually recast as clone troopers rather than Jedi.
Timberlake divulged that this revelation left him and Lance Bass less than pleased. Thankfully, the band discovered humor in the situation, especially since the trio’s scenes were eventually axed and tossed to the cutting room floor. Regardless, it’s titillating to think that Star Wars might have indirectly sown seeds of envy within the group.
The revelation that all five members of NSync auditioned for roles in Attack of the Clones – but only three were cast – has fans wondering if that broke up the boy band.
Fatone elaborated on how the group parted after their third album, conveying that the initial agreement was that JT would venture into solo music before eventually returning to the band. Justin Timberlake may have wanted to wield a light saber in Star Wars–but the hard truth is the tension between pursuing a solo career and maintaining ties with his original collaborators explains the schism.
Fatone continued to emphasize how the legitimate reasons for JT’s move to pursue solo projects were multifaceted, involving high-level decisions from the record company. Business is business, after all.
In the end, the tale of NSync’s brief brush with the galaxy far, far away serves as a fun reminder of how unpredictable the entertainment industry can be. Of course, it’s entertaining to imagine Justin Timberlake splitting from the band over a missed role in Star Wars; but the prospect remains a fan theory. In the meantime, it’s nice to see the band all back together, doing what they do best.
