Variety is reporting tonight that Woody Harrelson is being eyed to play a mentor of sorts to Han Solo in the upcoming spinoff film from Disney. Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, if the actor were to join, he’d star alongside Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke and Alden Ehrenreich, though the exact role that he’s in talks for is not known at this time.
From what we’re hearing, Christian Bale was originally being courted for the part, though he ultimately chose to pass and now, the studio wants Harrelson. Negotiations are still in the early stages, but with production set to begin next month (ahead of a December 2018 release), we’ll hopefully get confirmation on this shortly.
Likened to both a Western and heist movie, Disney’s Anthology film is still without a title and plot synopsis, but already it’s starting to turn heads. With an exciting cast of young talent leading the way and one of cinema’s most beloved characters at the heart of it all, there’s no reason that the Han Solo spinoff can’t turn out to be just as if not more successful than Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The studio’s proven that these Anthology films work and as such, we’re definitely excited to see what they’ve got planned for us here.
As for Harrelson, Disney apparently wanted an established talent for the role, given that the three aforementioned stars are all still relatively young and fresh. It makes sense, and Harrelson is as good a pick as any, already having much experience with mentor-like roles after his turns in The Hunger Games franchise and The Edge of Seventeen. He’s a reliable actor and a strong screen presence, and we’re hopeful that he ends up signing on. Speculation points to him playing a brand new character, rather than an established one, but nothing’s been confirmed just yet.
Tell us, do you want to see Woody Harrelson travel to a galaxy far, far away for the upcoming Han Solo spinoff? Let us know your thoughts in the usual place!
