Thandie Newton is in talks to join the cast of the still-untitled Han Solo “Star Wars” film, helmed by directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
No word on what role the “Westworld” star is being eyed for, but should a deal be reached, she’ll be joining the previously cast Donald Glover who has signed up to play the part of Lando Calrissian. Also Alden Ehrenreich is starring in the movie as Han Solo.
This new film depicts Lando in his formative years as a scoundrel on the rise in the galaxy’s underworld — years before the events involving Han, Leia, and Darth Vader in “The Empire Strikes Back” and his rise to Rebel hero in “Return of the Jedi.”
It’s worth noting that Bradford Young is the DP on the film – his highest profile and most expensive project to date.
Two months ago, Young spoke briefly with our friends at Collider on what to expect from the look and style of the Han Solo film, and this is what he had to say: “Don’t put those guys [directors Lord and Miller] in a box because they have a vision, they know exactly what they want… They have no hidden agenda, but they do have an agenda; they have a way of seeing that’s very special, and their collaboration is genuinely unique… So I have to say I had to get converted into that. I respect their work, I respect them as filmmakers, but I wasn’t quite sure if there would be a good marriage between what I’m trying to pursue with the work that I’m doing, and what they’re doing; but they helped make that real clear to me early on by expressing some real interesting story [and] photographic ideas that really resonated with me… They are prepared to say exactly what they wanna say and it’s complex, it’s layered, it’s smart, it’s visual, it’s dramatic, it’s funny, it’s uneasy, it’s unexpected. We’re doing our own thing, that’s why we’re there. Phil and Chris are there to bring what they bring to their films, their very unique vision, their perspective on story and they asked me to come bring what I bring, and so just for that it won’t feel like any of the other films.”
So expect something that effectively stands on its own in comparison to previous films in the “Star Wars” universe. Word on the street is that fans will get something that looks and unfolds more like an old-school Western. Although plot/story details are being kept underwraps.
Joining Glover and Ehrenreich are “Game of Thrones” star Emilia Clarke, and Woody Harrelson.
The Han Solo anthology movie is set for a May 25, 2018 release.
Thandie Newton received both Golden Globe and SAG nominations for her work on HBO’s sci-fi drama “Westworld.” She currently is filming “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan,” from French-Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan.
