Spinoffs have always been a part of expanding the Star Wars universe since Disney acquired Lucasfilm a few years back. With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story being a huge success with critics and audiences, attention now turns to the next standalone film.

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the untitled Han Solo standalone film stars Alden Ehrenreich (Hail, Caesar!) as the title character, with Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, and Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke as an unknown character. Of course, the casting doesn’t stop there, and a new report says that Disney and Lucasfilm want a big actor for the film. One of those actors they have their eyes on is Woody Harrelson. More on the story below.

Variety says Harrelson is the top choice for the role, though talks are still early. According to the report, if he accepts the deal, he will play a mentor to Han Solo.

Christian Bale was one of the other actors Disney and Lucasfilm were considering for the role, as noted by Borys Kit of THR:

True that Disney & Lucasfilm wanted someone big for HAN SOLO…before Woody Harrelson, CHRISTIAN BALE was the other big name in the mix.

— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) January 3, 2017

This wouldn’t be the first time that Harrelson has appeared as a mentor. He’s probably best known for playing Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games films, and opposite Hailee Steinfeld in Edge of Seventeen.

Considering Harrelson could play as a mentor, the untitled film could have audiences see Solo as a very young smuggler who is learning the ropes and will eventually become one of the would-be heroes who defeat the Empire to save the galaxy.

Kathleen Kennedy and Allison Shearmur will produce.

Harrelson can next be seen in War for the Planet of the Apes.

Production is expected to begin sometime this month for a May 25, 2018, release. We’ll keep you posted as soon as more developments come in.

[Source: Variety]