Known primarily for playing a superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Paul Bettany has just moved to a galaxy far, far away for the Han Solo movie.
While considered one of the better entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Age of Ultron laid the groundwork for a lot of upcoming films in the MCU. First, it introduced Wakanda, the home of Black Panther. Plus, it also saw Tony Stark’s trusty AI evolve from Jarvis to Vision. With the help of the Mind Stone, of course.
In going from just a voice to a full bodied entity, Paul Bettany truly added another dimension to the MCU. From his relationship with Scarlet Witch to the role he played in Captain America: Civil War, Bettany has become a prominent figure at Marvel.
And in a nearby money-making factory known as Lucasfilm, it looks like Marvel will be loaning Bettany to Ron Howard for the time-being.
Check out the tweet from Han Solo’s director:
The Outer Rim just got a little bit wilder #PaulBettany #ForceFriday pic.twitter.com/KzuAwhcIXy
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) September 1, 2017
Obviously, Howard and Bettany have been friends for quite some time. And it makes sense that Bettany would be a great choice to join the film since he probably knows enough people under the Disney umbrella, and overall, seems like a team player. I mean, if the behind-the-scenes drama of the Han Solo movie taught us anything, it’s that Lucasfilm loves their team players.
Many immediately wondered whether Howard brought Bettany aboard to replace Michael K. Williams, who ultimately left the Han Solo movie when he couldn’t make his schedule meet the reshoot demands. However, Deadline says this isn’t true and that Bettany will play an entirely new character. Still, his role could still be used to move the narrative forward in the same way Williams’ character would’ve originally.
Related Story: Time to meet the First Order's answers to BB-8
It would look so, so terrible on Lucasfilm’s behalf to replace a black actor, regardless of the role, with Paul Bettany. So, of course, they’re going to design a new role that still facilitates the same thing in the movie.
The Han Solo movie hits theaters in May 2018.