Rogue One actor lost Andor role for refusing to cut "unrealistic" dreadlocks
Star Wars actor Jordan Stephens says the "cognitive dissonance" of his hair being deemed too outlandish for a world with "space slugs" and "swords made of light" caused him to drop out.
Jordan Stephens, the actor who portrayed Corporal Tonc in Rogue One, has revealed that he was denied the chance to reprise his role in the upcoming Star Wars series Andor due to his dreadlocks. The actor and rapper, who is one half of British rap duo Rizzle Kicks, explained that while he had successfully concealed his locks under a rebel helmet during his brief appearance in Rogue One, the producers of Andor insisted that he cut his hair to fit the traditional army attire of the time.
Stephens was particularly troubled by the comment from a production team member who said that his dreadlocks were not realistic for a soldier in an intergalactic war. Despite the controversy this has caused, Stephens has chosen not to comment on race in the matter, but Star Wars fans will likely remember the backlash when John Boyega was cast as former stormtrooper turned rebel Finn in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Stephens, who is also known for his role in the Paramount+ series The Ex-Wife, admitted that he was offered "fuck all" to reprise his role in Andor and that the Star Wars universe already has a multitude of characters with various hairstyles.
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