That there is your first look at the Han Solo (opens in new tab) movie cast. The image, via StarWars.com (opens in new tab), shows the core cast and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. It also confirms the previously rumoured Thandie Newton in an as yet unspecified role, who’s absent from this shot. Let’s take a closer look at who is there, and then run through the faces:
So, from left to right…
Left top, Woody Harrelson: Woody Harrelson will be playing Han Solo’s mentor Garris Shrike (opens in new tab). In Star Wars lore the character first appeared in the 1997 book The Paradise Snare. He raised Han Solo alongside a female Wookiee and taught him all about being a smuggler and ne’er-do-well.
Left Bottom, Chris Millar: Millar is co-director along side Phil Lord (who’s second from the right). Together the pair have directed movies like 21 Jump Street, The Lego Movie and Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. It suggests we might be getting a lighter, more comedic tone here, befitting a wise-cracking space rogue.
Left middle top, Phoebe Waller-Bridge: Naughty Phoebe litearlly denied any knowledge of being in the film last week, calling it ‘all rumours’. Those rumours point to the Fleabag star playing a female droid in the Han Solo movie (opens in new tab) via CG and motion capture.
Middle left, Alden Ehrenreich: Meet your new Solo. Ehrenreich’s casting was confirmed at the last Star Wars Celebration. And that’s about all we have for now on the Hail, Caesar! and Beautiful Creatures actor. Reportedly he was one of the first people to audition for the role of Han (opens in new tab) and has met up with Harrison Ford (opens in new tab)to swap notes.
Middle right, Emilia Clarke: We don’t know anything about the part the Game of Thrones actress is playing yet, which makes me think she might be playing an existing, or known character.
Middle top, Chewbacca: Played here by Finnish basketball player Joonas Suotamo. He stepped in for the now 72-year-old Peter Mayhew in The Force Awakens, and looks to be taking over the role completely for the spin off.
Middle right, Phil Lord: Co-director with Chris Millar.
Right, Donald Glover: Glover was always top of the running to play a young Lando Calrissian. He’s already met with the original, Billy Dee Williams (opens in new tab), and is clear on one thing: the character has to be cool (opens in new tab).
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and starring Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, and Emilia Clarke the Han Solo movie is due to be released on May 25, 2018.
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Images: Lucasfilm