Details Revealed For Han Solo's 3 New Outlaw Friends in SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
We've got some new details to share with you regarding three new outlaw characters that Han Solo will be teaming up with in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Last week, we learned a bit more about Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) and the femme fatale Star Wars character Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke). Now today we have additional info on Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson), Val (Thandie Newton), and Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany).
When talking about Tobias Beckett, Ron Howard explains that he is the guy who shapes Han Solo into who he will become more than anyone else:
"Well, he really shapes Han really more than anybody, as Han comes to realize that in a lawless time he needs to try to come to terms with some kind of moral code."
According to EW, screenwriters Lawrence and Jon Kasdan revealed that Han's relationship with Beckett was inspired by the mentor and apprentice relationship between the pirate Long John Silver and young Jim Hawkins in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It's explained that Silver was "a scoundrel who had been around nefarious circles for awhile, but without any great success to his name," which is similar to the story they handed Beckett in the movie. Lawrence Kasdan says:
"He is a very tough criminal, and, as you might think with Woody, who has enormous humanity, it’s not just that."
"Han sort of forces himself into Woody’s life. It starts a relationship that has enormous impact on what kind of person Han will be."
Howard also adds that Beckett is "a charismatic character" with a soft spot, who is looking to take Han under his wing.
One character that we don't really know much about it Val. She's a mysterious character and although there aren't a lot of details, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy says:
"She’s tied to Beckett, that’s how Han meets Val. They’ve been partners a long time."
Jon Kasdan says that Val is "part of the criminal family that Han gets involved in." She's also not a sure about Han.
"I will say at first glance, doesn’t necessarily have total faith in Han — as a lot of people he meets in his life tend to feel about him. She’s a little skeptical of this kid when she meets him. And her relationship with him goes in, I think, an … interesting direction.”
As we saw in the trailer, Val carries a big blaster and sports an intimidating scowl.
Then finally we have Vos, who is pretty much The Godfather of crime in the film. He's described as being a "debonair and sophisticated hoodlum." It's explained that he has "found great success by breaking the rules — but isn’t the kind to get his hands dirty." Jon Kasdan goes on to explain:
"It’s a sort of combination of class and swagger and real danger which I think is a fun thing, and he absolutely inhabits it. He’s way deeper in the crime world than anyone else that we meet in the movie."
The writer goes on to explain that Vos and Beckett are in two different places in this world. Vos is the type of character "who’s a little more advanced." It's then explained that there is no hierarchy in the Star Wars underworld of crime. That it's a place where people don't concern themselves with titles.
"There are some that are in power, and there’s some that are scrambling to stay alive."
This character was originally supposed to be played by Michael K. Williams, but when Howard jumped on board to direct, he wanted to expand the character's role. When Williams was unable to come back for reshoots, they ended up replacing him with Paul Bettany.
The more I learn about Solo: A Star Wars Story, the more excited I get to see it! What are you most excited about for this movie?