Just a couple of weeks back we learned that Woody Harrelson was in talks to join the young Han Solo movie, the next spinoff under the Star Wars Story banner. Today, directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller officially confirmed the actor’s casting via Lucasfilm with a statement in which they praised Harrelson’s talents — both in front of the camera and behind a ping pong table. Hopefully those skills come in handy for the role of Han Solo’s mentor.

Lucasfilm formally announced Harrelson’s casting over on the official Star Wars website, where they included this statement from Lord and Miller:

We couldn’t be more excited to work with an artist with as much depth and range as Woody. His ability to find both humor and pathos, often in the same role, is truly unique. He is also very good at ping pong.

Good to know.

Harrelson joins a cast that includes Alden Ehrenreich as young Han Solo, Donald Glover as young Lando Calrissian and Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke in an undisclosed role. The untitled Star Wars Story project takes place before A New Hope and follows Han (and Chewbacca, of course) during their earlier smuggling days.

Lord and Miller, who previously helmed 21 Jump Street and The LEGO Movie, are directing from a script by Lawrence Kasdan (who says this will be his last Star Wars project) and Jon Kasdan. The untitled young Han Solo movie is scheduled to arrive on May 25, 2018 — though a recent rumor suggests that date could change to later in the year.

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