A Million Ways To Die In The West Ewan Mcgregor

Okay, let's talk about A Million Ways to Die in the West. Seth MacFarlane's wild west comedy gets a lot of, well, *opinions*. But did you know that at one point, the role of Albert Stark (the sheep farmer who's really, REALLY bad at the Wild West) was almost played by none other than Ewan McGregor?

What Could Have Been: Obi-Wan with Sheep

Imagine it: Ewan McGregor, that charming, Scottish actor we know and love from Star Wars and Moulin Rouge!, trying to herd sheep and avoid getting shot by pretty much everything. It’s a hilarious image, right?

MacFarlane himself ultimately took on the role, and that's fine. But the thought of McGregor's take on the character is undeniably intriguing.

The Rebel Alliance... in the Desert?

Picture this: Albert Stark, played by Ewan McGregor, delivering those witty, self-deprecating lines. That distinctive Scottish accent navigating the rugged American West. It's a clash of worlds, and honestly, it sounds amazing.

Think about the added layer of humor. McGregor already has a dedicated fanbase from his previous roles. He could have brought a totally different energy to the film, possibly changing its reception.

Why Didn't It Happen? The West is Wild (and Busy!)

So, why didn't Ewan McGregor end up wrangling sheep and dodging bullets? As is so often the case in Hollywood, scheduling conflicts were to blame.

He was likely committed to other projects at the time. It's a bummer for us comedy fans, but that's just the way the tumbleweeds roll sometimes.

A Different Kind of Western Hero

Let's face it, the movie’s humor is... divisive. Some people loved it, some people didn't quite get it. But, Ewan McGregor's involvement could have shifted the dynamic.

Perhaps his presence would have drawn in a different audience. Maybe it would have added a touch of the unexpected, even for those who were already familiar with MacFarlane's style.

Lessons From the Lost Casting

This near-miss casting reminds us of a fun fact: Hollywood is a constantly shifting landscape of possibilities. The actor in the role can drastically change the entire feel of a project.

It highlights the sheer number of talented actors who are considered for every role. It also shows how quickly plans can change.

Ultimately, A Million Ways to Die in the West remains a quirky, sometimes outrageous, comedy. But next time you watch it, take a moment to imagine what it could have been with Ewan McGregor. It's a fun thought experiment that adds a whole new layer to the film's story.

"What if...?" - A question every movie fan loves to ponder.

Who knows? Maybe someday we'll get to see Ewan McGregor in a western. Until then, we can only dream of Obi-Wan Kenobi facing off against outlaws and ornery sheep.