Michael K. Williams Cut From Han Solo Spin-Off Film Amidst Reshoots

Despite no official record of what happened between directors Philip Lord and Chris Miller and [...]

By Patrick Cavanaugh - November 9, 2017 05:16 pm EST

Despite no official record of what happened between directors Philip Lord and Chris Miller and Lucasfilm that caused the filmmakers to part ways from the upcoming Han Solo spin-off, many of the rumors circled around the film veering into too comedic of a tone for Lucasfilm's liking. After Ron Howard took over directorial responsibilities, the cast and crew have had nothing but positive things to say about the experience, while also commending the work done by Lord and Miller before their departure.

More than a month has passed since the directorial shake-up, with Howard regularly taking to social media to tease fans with all sorts of glimpses of the sets and actors that will be featured in the upcoming film.

Sadly, we've learned of yet another massive loss that the production has suffered, with Michael K. Williams having revealed to Deadline that his role has been cut from the film.

Scroll down to learn more about why his role was cut and if he'd ever return to the Star Wars saga!

"They had to clip-clip-clip..."

Considering the rumors about Howard coming on board to correct the film's tone, one might assume that Williams' character was a comedic one and had to be cut to keep the film more drama-oriented. Rather, Williams notes that it was a case of scheduling and not out of any issues with the character itself.

"When Ron Howard got hired to finish out the film, there were some reshoot issues that needed to be done in regards to my character, in order for it to match the new direction which the producers wanted Ron to carry the film in," Williams explained. "And that would have required me on a plane a month ago to London, to Pinewood, to do reshoots. But I'm here, on location in Africa. It's scheduling. I'm not going to be back on the market until the end of November after [his SundanceTV series] Hap and Leonard, and for them to wait that long for me, that would have pushed back the release date, which I believe is in May 2018. They wanted me now; I couldn't go. So they had to clip-clip-clip."

Another important detail about Williams' explanation is that his character couldn't have played a very integral role if reshoots weren't considered as part of his contract. Whether his character is completely cut or if a new actor will take the role is unknown at this time.

michael k williams the wire han solo — (Photo: HBO)

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"We created a kick-ass character..."

With his departure from the project, the actor could have potentially shed details on who he played, as the character might not appear in the final film. Williams played coy about his role, revealing only "we created a kick-ass character, in my opinion. I'm proud of it."

"I felt great about what I created with the directors that I worked with," the actor explained, even if he wouldn't divulge his character's specifics. "It is what it is."

Whether it be an actor or a filmmaker that parts ways with a project, it's not uncommon to assume there could be bad blood going forward. Williams claims that's far from the case with his role being cut from the Han Solo film.

"I don't think that me not being in the Star Wars family is final," Williams explained. "I left with a very good taste in my mouth about the whole family, and I hope that I left a good taste in their mouth. They're a great group of people, the Lucas family."

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More Han Solo

The Han Solo film will arrive in theaters on May 25, 2018.

Set prior to the events of Han Solo's first appearance in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, the film stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Joonas Suotamo. The film is said to show how Han Solo and Chewbacca first met Lando Calrissian, played by Glover.