Darth Vader Actor Spencer Wilding Has Unidentified Role in Han Solo Spin-Off

With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story being set shortly before the events of the original Star Wars, Darth Vader became an integral component of the story. Actor Spencer Wilding performed the physical duties required of the Sith Lord in the film, with James Earl Jones coming back to voice the villain. Based on a recent canceled appearance of Wilding’s, it appears that he’ll be featured in the upcoming Han Solo spin-off film, but in what capacity is unclear.

The actor was set to appear at Fandom Fest in Kentucky this weekend, but according to Jedi News, the convention updated their website to explain, “Spencer Wilding will be unable to attend as he will be filming the newest film in the Star Wars Universe. Spencer will be coming back next year.”

Considering the only film in the Star Wars universe that is currently shooting is the Han Solo film, signs point towards his involvement in that installment. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that Wilding will be playing Vader in the film, as Han Solo was relatively oblivious to the Sith Lord in the original films.

Wilding has many credits to his name, including the memorable guard in Guardians of the Galaxy who attempts to steal Peter Quill’s cassette player when the crew is imprisoned in the Kyln.

Despite the unlikelihood that Wilding will play Vader, we can still hold out hope that the villain makes an appearance. Regardless, we look forward to seeing Wilding’s contributions to the film, whatever the capacity.

The untitled Han Solo movie, the next spin-off film, is set to be released May 24, 2018.

More Han Solo News:

• Ron Howard Reveals First Behind-The-Scenes Look At Chewbacca
• Woody Harrelson Confirms Han Solo’s ‘Temporary’ Title
• Han Solo Movie Seems Determined To Keep Its 2018 Release Date

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.