Just as one Star Wars mainstay climbs aboard (read: Warwick Davis), The Independent is reporting that Spencer Wilding has landed a role in Ron Howard’s Han Solo spinoff as well. But does that mean Darth Vader is a shoo-in to appear?
Sources close to the production claim that Wilding, who portrayed the physical Vader in last year’s Rogue One Anthology film – the great James Earl Jones lent his booming voice to the part – is actually playing a different character altogether, given his vast expertise in costume (see: Doctor Who, Game of Thrones and Guardians of the Galaxy). No Vader for Han Solo, then, which is just as well considering the famous smuggler doesn’t seem to have much luck when he crosses paths with the glowering Sith Lord. Ditto for Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), who actually betrayed Han and Leia aboard Cloud City.
All that being said, earlier rumors have stated that the iconic villain holds a cameo role in the spinoff, and Wilding’s casting only adds fuel to the fire, so who knows? He may yet appear.
Either way, further details on the actor’s involvement in the project were not disclosed, so when you’re browsing the interwebs for Star Wars-related content, tread carefully. Chances are though he’ll hold a minor part (maybe as Vader, maybe as someone else) in Howard’s spinoff, not unlike the way Warwick Davis was included in Rogue One as Weeteef Cyubee, one of Saw Gerrera’s partisan soldiers.
Having both Wilding and Davis back in the franchise can only be a good thing, and caters to those Star Wars fans who enjoy pouring over each and every frame in the hunt for Easter eggs and any other references, big or small, to that iconic galaxy far, far away. Thankfully, it won’t be too much longer before we’re back amidst the stars, as The Last Jedi has been penciled in for release on December 15th of this year.
Borrowing elements from the Western and heist genres, Disney and Lucasfilm will formally lift the lid on the origins of Han Solo on May 25th, 2018.