7. Christopher Lee - Grand Moff Tarkin
You may well recognise him as Count Dooku but Christopher Lee was first approached to appear in the Star Wars saga during pre-production of the very first film - A New Hope. Lucas was keen to acquire the actor's services to play Grand Moff Tarkin - the captain of the Death Star and infamous for blowing up Leia's home-world of Alderaan. Lee was already an internationally recognised actor at the time, and his numerous roles as Count Dracula as well as stints at playing the Mummy and Frankenstein's Monster meant that the actor had built a reputation on playing the villain. Lucas had a great deal of admiration for the performances Lee produced and was a fan of Hammer Studios' horror films (in which the actor often starred). This was made obvious when Lee decided to turn down the offer but with the recommendation that Lucas look at Peter Cushing - another Hammer Studios alumni and long-term friend of Lee. Lucas eventually ended up casting Cushing in the role which subsequently persuaded Lee to join the cast of 'Star Wars II - Attack Of The Clones' deeming it "more special" knowing that his friend had also been a part.