The Sandlot Actor Recalls Sweet Story About James Earl Jones On Set, And Darth Vader Is Involved

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As a child of the ’90s, I can vividly remember the magic that was “The Sandlot” and the impactful performances within it. Among those performances, none stood out quite like the enigmatic Mr. Mertle, brought to life by the legendary James Earl Jones. Although he’s most famously known for his role as Darth Vader in “Star Wars,” Jones demonstrated an astonishing versatility in playing a character who was both intimidating and lovable.

Everyone recalls that James Earl Jones, who recently passed away at 93, captivated audiences with his portrayal of the powerful Sith Lord Darth Vader in Star Wars. Yet, it’s essential not to overlook his heartwarming performance as Mr. Mertle in The Sandlot. It seems that even the young actors from the film can’t forget this legendary actor either. Patrick Renna, who played Ham in the beloved baseball movie, shares a delightful anecdote about meeting Jones on set. And as you might guess, Darth Vader makes an appearance in the story.

Reflecting on the lasting impact and popularity of the Star Wars films since their debut in 1977, it’s clear that young fans have had quite an advantage when it comes to working alongside some of the franchise’s accomplished actors. Patrick Renna from The Sandlot shared a fascinating tale about his limited screen time with a seasoned actor on The Rich Eisen Show back in 2023.

Here was there for a day and he had this huge trailer and he’s larger than life and he’s famous James Earl Jones. We’re all like speechless and he was so cool. But, we also were all supposed to have a scene with him and the director changed it to just having Scotty Smalls and Benny in the scene with him. So, we didn’t even act with him. We just, I think, were like, he just looked at us and laughed in one scene.

In The Sandlot, it’s a fact that the only interaction all the kids had with James Earl Jones (Mr. Mertle) was when Scotty Smalls and Benny returned “The Beast” to him, causing the others to stand back in fear. They shared their ordeal of retrieving a baseball from his yard. Mr. Mertle chuckled at them for not simply knocking on the door, and he invited Benny and Scotty into his house for a chat about baseball, while the rest of the boys stayed behind.

Given that Small’s ball caused the situation and Benny has a deep love for baseball, it seems logical for the scene to feature only the three of them. Furthermore, as Scotty and Benny are known for being serious boys, their interaction with the ex-professional baseball player would add greater depth and significance to the scene.

Despite Patrick Renna having limited on-screen interactions with James Earl Jones during one iconic ’90s family film, their off-camera encounters were not absent. Here’s a captivating detail for all the Star Wars enthusiasts:

In a unique instance, none of us mustered the courage to engage him in conversation. However, Marty York bravely approached him and asked if he was James Earl Jones, to which he responded playfully by saying, “No, I am your father!” (laughs). This was the only time any of us interacted with him, but it was quite an extraordinary moment.

That’s got to be the best thing the Darth Vader actor himself can say to a young Star Wars fan! The Sandlot truly is one of James Earl Jones’ greatest performances outside of the George Lucas franchise. He played a character whose deep voice and tall build may come off as intimidating at first, but The Beast’s owner is actually a kind-hearted man and a great neighbor to have if you want conversations with a former baseball player. Every time Jones laughed or smiled with the kids, you could see a kind spirit come out of the actor known for playing a terrifying villain from a galaxy far, far away. He truly made the role his own.

Working with James Earl Jones on the set of “The Sandlot” was undoubtedly a fortunate experience for the cast. This timeless family-sports movie continues to captivate audiences, reminding us why baseball is so deeply rooted in American culture and showcasing Jones’ charming adaptability and diversity in a fresh character. You can catch him shining as Mr. Mertle, a role from “The Sandlot,” on your Hulu subscription, starring the legendary actor from “Star Wars.

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2024-09-17 20:08