We are only a few weeks in, but it is very clear thatRogue One: A Star Wars Storyhas been a very big success for Disney and Lucasfilm. That being the case, they can look ahead to the next stand-alone adventure they have planned in theStar Warsuniverse, which happens to be the youngHan Solomovie. We just learned thatWoody Harrelsonis in early talks for a role in the movie, but it turns out that Batman himself,Christian Bale, was also considered for the very same role.
The news comes courtesy of reporterBorys Kit, who took to hisTwitteraccount to reveal thatChristian Balewas the other big name in the mix before Lucasfilm narrowed their focus and set their sights onWoody harrelson. Given thatBorys Kitworks for The Hollywood Reporter, it would seem this news has some legitimacy to it. This isn’t some no-name blogger we are talking about or some randomStar Warsfan site with a “scoop” from a guy who might know a guy. That being the case, it seems like the top brass at Disney really wanted someone big for the role. Here is whatBorys Kithad to say in his tweet.
“True that Disney & Lucasfilm wanted someone big for HAN SOLO…before Woody Harrelson, CHRISTIAN BALE was the other big name in the mix.”
Variety was the first to break the news that Lucasfilm was in early talks withWoody Harrelsonfor the “mentor” role inHan Solo: A Star Wars Story. It is possible that talks could go south and that could lead to the studio circling back toChristian Bale. Anything is possible until the deal is done. It has been speculated that this role will be for the part of Garris Shrike, a character from theStar Wars Legendscanon, which is everything that happened before Disney and Lucasfilm took over in 2012 and hit the reset button, so to speak. That has yet to be confirmed, though. Just for good measure, here is how Wookieepedia describes the character of Garris Shrike.
“Garris Shrike was the man who raised Han Solo. As a young man, he was a bounty hunter, but his quick temper kept him from collecting many live bounties. Instead, he turned to crime, collecting a group of orphans whom he used in confidence tricks and thefts, based aboard the decommissioned troopship Trader’s Luck in orbit over Corellia. One of those orphans was Han Solo. Shrike rescued Solo from the streets, raised him, trained him, and beat him profusely when aggravated.”
For the most part, the specifics ofHan Solo: A Star Wars Storyremain a mystery. The cast is starting to take shape, withHail, Caesar!starAlden Ehrenreichplaying the younger version of the famous smuggler and scruffynerf herder, as originally made famous byHarrison Ford.Game of ThronesstarEmilia Clarkehas also been cast as the female lead in an as-of-yet unspecified role andDonald Gloverwill be playing a young version of Lando Calrissian. AddWoody Harrelsonin there and things are nothing if not interesting so far. We also know thatThe LEGOMovie and21 Jump StreetdirectorsPhil LordandChris Millerwill be directing the movie, which is said to take place 10-years prior to the events inStar Wars: A New Hope. Last but not least, Chewbacca will also be in the movie, which only makes sense.
As of right now theHan Solomovie is slated for aMay 25, 2018, release date, but recent reports have suggested that Disney is looking to move it to December 2018. That would make perfect sense, given the successes of bothStar Wars: The Force AwakensandRogue One: A Star Wars Story, which both had December release dates. We will be sure to keep you updated as more information on the youngHan Solomovie becomes available.
