Even though plot details for the upcoming Han Solo spinoff are scarce at this point, the movie has been accumulating a solid cast over the last year. Along with Alden Ehrenreich playing the eponymous protagonist, Donald Glover has been cast to play the younger Lando Calrissian, and Emilia Clarke has joined in an undisclosed role. Now there's word that Woody Harrelson is being eyed to join the next Star Wars Anthology film.
According to Variety, Woody Harrelson is in early talks to play Han Solo's mentor in the upcoming movie, and is also described as the "top choice" for the role. Keep in mind that this casting is by no means official yet, and we'll presumably have to wait a while to learn whether Harrelson has come aboard the project or if the Han Solo team will look elsewhere. However, if Harrelson takes the role, he would be the fourth actor added to the cast. Chewbacca will also appear, but it hasn't been confirmed whether Peter Mayhew will reprise the role or if the Wookie will be portrayed by another actor. THR's Borys Kit also reports that before Harrelson, Christian Bale was the other "big name in the mix" for this mentor character.
If Woody Harrelson is cast as Han Solo's mentor, it would be familiar territory for the actor, as he played Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark's mentor, in the Hunger Games series. While we don't know yet how Han Solo got his start as a smuggler in the official Star Wars canon, having Han learn the tricks of the trade from someone would make sense. Even better, Harrelson is perfect for playing someone almost exactly like Han Solo: primarily laid back, but determined when necessary. Harrelson's other notable credits in recent years include Zombieland, the Now You See Me movies, Seven Psychopaths, Triple 9, The Edge of Seventeen and True Detective Season 1. He also already has a stacked schedule for this year, as he'll be seen in War for the Planet of the Apes, Wilson, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Glass Castle.
As mentioned earlier, Lucasfilm hasn't revealed yet what the Han Solo movie will be about, other than it will take place years before A New Hope. However, it was rumored last year that the story may show how Han won the Millennium Falcon from Lando Calrissian, an event briefly alluded to in The Empire Strikes Back. Could this mentor character be the one who introduces these two adventuring lads to each other?
The Han Solo spinoff is officially scheduled for release on May 25, 2018, although it was recently rumored that the movie could be delayed until December 13, 2018, in keeping with the previous Star Wars winter releases under the Disney banner. But I digress, let us know what you think about Woody Harrelson potentially joining the next Star Wars Anthology movie in the comments below.
