Woody Harrelson Turned Down His Han Solo Role Twice

Jenna Anderson

07/17/2017 04:30 pm EDT

LucasFilm's upcoming Han Solo prequel film is set to hit theaters next year. But according to a recent interview, the film almost didn't include one of its stars, Woody Harrelson.

Harrelson, whose role in the film was recently unveiled as Han Solo's mentor, Beckett, in the Star Wars anthology film, explained to The Hollywood Reporter that he initially turned down the role several times.

"I turned [the Han Solo movie] down twice," Harrelson revealed, "and [producer Allison Shearmur], wouldn't take no for an answer."

As it turns out, a similar pattern occurred with the fan-favorite actor's role in another popular franchise - Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games films. According to Harrelson, Shearmur - a producer on both franchises - also motivated him to take on that role.

"I turned down Hunger Games twice." Harrelson explained. "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 Alli Shearmur, too."

Judging by Harrelson's excitement about the Han Solo film, fans are sure to be pleased that he did end up taking the role. While there are still plenty of secrets surrounding Harrelson's role as Beckett, all will be revealed when the untitled Han Solo film hits theaters May 25, 2018.

More Han Solo News:

The Han Solo movie is being produced by Lucasfilm from a screenplay by Lawrence and Jon Kasdan and will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the second standalone Star Wars movie following Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 2016.

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.

Filming on the Han Solo movie began in January 2017 with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller directing. Principal photography began at Pinewood Studios in February. Lord and Miller left the Han Solo movie in June, having reportedly been fired over creative differences. Ron Howard will come on as the director to see the production to completion.

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(Photo: Lucasfilm)