Woody Harrelson’s mystery character in the upcoming Han Solo movie will seemingly toe the line between mentor and criminal.
At least, that’s according to the actor himself, who spoke briefly to Mashable about his casting in Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s forthcoming anthology film. Confirming previous rumors to be true, Harrelson noted that his character can be seen as a mentor figure to Alden Ehrenreich’s roguish smuggler. But the Han Solo we know and love so often operates outside the law and sure enough, the former True Detective star revealed that his so-far unnamed senpai is “also a bit of a criminal.” That opens up the field for a much more unconventional Star Wars origin story, one that’s far removed from the teacher-student dynamic between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker.
“I’m a mentor to Han, but I’m also a bit of a criminal. I don’t think I should say much more than that, because the Force is not allowing me,” said the actor.
In light of yesterday’s confirmation, Harrelson is now set to star opposite Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke and Atlanta‘s Donald Glover, who signed on to play the young Lando Calrissian before the turn of the year. Production is imminent, it seems, and we fully expect Disney and Lucasfilm to announce one or two more additions to the cast before the wheels are officially set in motion.
Once earmarked for May 25, 2018, the Mouse House has since been coy about when its untitled Han Solo movie will release. Reports indicate that Lord and Miller’s anthology film will be nudged to December of 2018, which would neatly align with the other Star Wars pics released thus far, but we’ll keep you posted one way or another.