Eiza González has traveled through time and space in projects like 3 Body Problem and Alita: Battle Angel, but she almost made the jump to hyperspace long before her Hollywood breakthrough. The actress recently confirmed that she auditioned for Star Wars: The Force Awakens—and it was all thanks to her mother's resourcefulness.
During an appearance on Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Dinner's On Me podcast, González recalled the surreal experience of auditioning for what she initially thought was a mysterious project. At the time, she was virtually unknown outside of Mexico and had no representation in the United States. Her mother, however, took matters into her own hands by creating an IMDbPro profile for her and submitting her for roles.
“She’s like, ‘Oh, some friend of mine told me about this thing called IMDbPro. I think you have a profile. I think I’m gonna put your name and my email under it and just see what happens,’” González explained during a 2021 interview on Collider Ladies Night. “And I [was] just like, ‘Sure, mom.’ And she knew that I was really depressed and sad at the time.”
Her mother’s persistence paid off when an audition came through. Despite having no experience auditioning in English, González decided to go for it. “I had no idea. I’d never auditioned in English in my life, but I just did it for shits and giggles,” she said. “I was like, ‘Okay, I’ll do it. It’s not going to happen!’”
To her surprise, she received a callback, then another, and another. It wasn’t until she walked into the room and saw director J.J. Abrams that she realized the magnitude of the project. “I didn’t know what I was doing. I had no idea it was Star Wars until I walked in and saw J.J. Abrams. I was like, ‘Ohhh, this is big,’” she recalled on the podcast.
González has never publicly revealed which role she auditioned for, but the secrecy surrounding the project was intense. During the casting process, the character of Rey was referred to by the code name “Kira,” a remnant from earlier drafts of the script. González was among a long list of young actresses considered for the part, including Saoirse Ronan, Elizabeth Olsen, Shailene Woodley, Jessica Henwick, Billie Lourd, and Jodie Comer. Ultimately, the role went to newcomer Daisy Ridley, who led a cast that also featured John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, and returning legends Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill.
While she didn’t land the part, the experience proved to be a pivotal early step in her Hollywood journey. Shortly after the Star Wars auditions, González was cast as Santanico Pandemonium in From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, a breakout role that launched her American career. She went on to star in films like Baby Driver, Ambulance, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and the upcoming In the Grey.
González’s story is a testament to the power of a supportive parent—and a reminder that even failed auditions can lead to bigger things. For more on the secrets behind iconic TV shows, check out our deep dive into why Lost captivated millions. And if you’re curious about other near-misses in Hollywood, don’t miss the tale of how a Jack Russell terrier stole the Wishbone audition.
