Director Ron Howard has added long-time collaborator Paul Bettany to the cast of the Han Solo movie, prompting speculation about what role The Avengers star will play.
The news of Paul’s casting broke Friday (September 1) when Ron tweeted a picture of himself on set with the actor, writing: “The Outer Rim just got a bit wilder”:
The Outer Rim just got a little bit wilder #PaulBettany #ForceFriday pic.twitter.com/KzuAwhcIXy
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) September 1, 2017
When some fans speculated Paul might just be visiting the set, Ron was quick to confirm he would in fact be appearing in the film:
It's my third opportunity to work with Paul. He's a blast & so talented https://t.co/8AQn0jFzOh
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) September 1, 2017
Not much is known about the film’s plot, meaning exactly which role Paul will be playing is shrouded in mystery.
The beleaguered Star Wars spin-off has had a bumpy ride so far, what with original directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord leaving the project three months into production, and the recent news that Michael K. Williams would no longer be appearing in the movie.
Ron was brought in to steer the ship in June this year, and since then he has been updating his followers with photos from set.
Any belief that he was simply there to see the project through was dispelled by the news of Paul’s casting, however. Paul has been in a number of Ron’s films, and his presence in the untitled Han Solo movie suggests the space smuggler’s origins story will now very much be a Ron Howard movie.
And we’re not complaining — we loved Paul in A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code. And he will join an exciting cast featuring Alden Ehrenreich as the young Han Solo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton, Donald Glover, and BBC AMERICA’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
The film remains on target for a May 25, 2018 release.
Does Paul Bettany’s involvement make you more excited for this film?
