Advertisement

Woody Harrelson in talks to play Han Solo's mentor in Star Wars spin-off

Woody Harrelson and Harrison Ford as Han Solo around the time of 'A New Hope' in 1977. (Credits: WENN / LucasFilm)
Woody Harrelson and Harrison Ford as Han Solo around the time of ‘A New Hope’ in 1977. (Credits: WENN / LucasFilm)

Woody Harrelson is reportedly in early talks to join Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s ‘Star Wars’ anthology film about Han Solo.

According to Variety the ‘Zombieland’ and ‘Hunger Games’ actor will play a mentor character to Alden Ehrenreich’s scruffy-looking nerf herder. The report claims Harrelson is the studio’s “top choice” to play the part.

Why Rogue One is the perfect Star Wars prequel
Blade Runner sequel rumoured to bring back character with CGI
Michael Keaton reveals why he quit playing Batman

There is no further information regarding the role, including whether it is a physical or motion-captured character.

The standalone adventure has already cast ‘The Martian’s Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian and ‘Game of Thrones’ star Emilia Clarke in an unknown role.

Chewbacca will be involved as well, of course.

In 2016 Harrelson enjoyed a busy year, starring in ‘Now You See Me 2’, ‘The Edge of Seventeen’, ‘Triple 9’ and filming ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’, which is set for release this summer.

Plot details for the Solo film (get it?) are naturally being kept under wraps, but the film will take place between the original and prequel trilogies, much like ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ – the first anthology film, released in December 2016.

LucasFilm president Kathleen Kennedy has however offered a hint at what to expect, telling Variety in November: “This moves closer to a heist or Western type feel.”

Miller and Lord, best known for ‘The Lego Movie’ and ’21 Jump Street’, are working from a script written by ‘Star Wars’ veteran Lawrence Kasdan and Jon Kasdan.

Currently slated for release in May 2018, recent reports have indicated that much like ‘The Force Awakens’, first spin-off ‘Rogue One’ and next year’s ‘Episode 8’, the film will in fact be released in December.