Cameras are rolling again on Lucasfilm‘s Han Solo spinoff, after a very public hiccup that saw original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller exit the project after butting creative heads with studio executives. In their place, Ron Howard has stepped in, taking charge of the film as it winds down its final weeks of principal photography, and gears up for reshoots later this summer. It’s rare for any blockbuster to go through this kind drama, particularly when it involves a brand as valuable as “Star Wars.” But according to star Woody Harrelson, things will be okay.
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THR sat down for an extended conversation with the actor, who opened up about this personal life and career, and yes, about that certain “Star Wars” spinoff opening next summer. And he has nothing but positive vibes right now for the endeavor, and everyone involved:
I turned down Hunger Games twice. I didn’t have any idea it would be that big, but I didn’t think it was a good part. I was wrong. It was a terrific part, and it was a terrific thing, but thank God [director] Gary Ross called me. And [executive] Alli Shearmur, too. I turned [the Han Solo movie] down twice, too, and the same person, Alli, wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Definitely [Star Wars] has more secrecy than anything ever. You get an e-reader; you don’t get a script. They give it to you, and you give it back after you read it. But I was like, “I’ve got to be with my family, I got to go home.” I’d been home in Maui one week since November. But I met with [directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller] one night, and we hung out and we went over to Matthew Freud’s and played pingpong and just had a great time. They were really good guys. I’ve been enjoying it [since then], especially because we just went to [shoot at] the Dolomites in Italy. [Co-star] Thandie Newton said, “It’s like being at camp ’cause you got everybody together,” and we had a couple of epic parties.
Alli gave me the word on [Ron Howard replacing the directors]. He’s a wonderful guy. And we did shoot one day with him — we had to shoot because Thandie had to leave. We start again July 12. I think I read some stuff where people were worried about the fate of this movie. I wouldn’t worry. The Force is still very much with it.
Harrelson tends to not deal in bullshit, so hopefully if he’s feeling good, it’s a good sign for the movie itself (particularly given he turned it down — twice — initially). However, there’s still a long road ahead before this hits cinemas on May 25, 2018.