Primary roles cast for Navajo dubbed version of 'Star Wars'

Friday, May 24, 2013  

Seven Navajo language speakers have been cast for roles in the Navajo-dubbed version of Star Wars.

The Navajo Nation Museum and the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department secured approval from Lucasfilm to dub the iconic film, a first for any Native language. Director Ellyn Stern Epcar cast the roles after listening to MP3s of 117 hopefuls.

"This isn't a film this is about saving a language, this is about preserving a language," Epcar told The Navajo Times. "This takes on more importance of anything I've ever done. I feel profoundly humbled to be a part of this."

As reported by the Times, the roles follow:

• Luke Skywalker - Terry Teller
• Obi-Wan Kenobi - Anderson Kee
• Princess Leia - Clarissa Yazzie
• Han Solo - James Junes of the comedy duo James and Ernie
• Darth Vader - Marvin Yellowhair
• General Tarkin - James Bilagody
• C-3PO - A "surprise," Epcar told the paper, to be unveiled July 3, when the film debuts

Get the Story:
A coach as Vader? (The Navajo Times 5/23)

Related Stories:
Blog: Navajo Nation casts 20 for 'Star Wars' in Dine language (05/14)
Navajo Nation translates first 'Star Wars' film in Dine language (04/25)