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Solo: A Star Wars Story – Beckett Shapes Han More than Anyone Else

Published Fri, 09 Feb 2018 10:40:39 -0600

We're all shaped by the people we let into our lives, and the characters in our favorite movies aren't any different. The Star Wars movies are no different, with characters like Leia shaped into politicians and leaders by her adopted parents. Han Solo is no exception, either, and with new information from Entertainment Weekly about the criminals that will feature in Solo: A Star Wars Story, we learn more about the character of Tobias Beckett played by Woody Harrelson. A kid with no parents is going to look for a mentor, and Beckett is the one that influences Han, according to director Ron Howard:

"Well, he really shapes Han really more than anybody, as Han comes to realize that in a lawless time he needs to try to come to terms with some kind of moral code."

Screenwriters Lawrence and Jon Kasdan turned to classic literature to help form the right dynamic between Beckett and Han. They both reread Treasure Island by Louis Stevenson, so the relationship between the two characters in the movie is similar to the one between Long John Silver and young Jim Hawkins. Beckett is a criminal, but much like Han was so much more than just a rogue. There is more to Beckett than we might think, and a lot of that comes down to who is playing him.

"'He is a very tough criminal,' Lawrence Kasdan says of Beckett. 'And, as you might think with Woody, who has enormous humanity, it's not just that.'"

That doesn't mean that Beckett is exactly happy to have Han following him around, but Beckett is "such a charismatic character," according to Howard, and does have a soft spot for Han.

"'Han sort of forces himself into Woody's life,' Lawrence Kasdan says. 'It starts a relationship that has enormous impact on what kind of person Han will be.'"

As we all know mentors don't tend to do very well in Star Wars movies. Maybe Beckett will break the mold.

Summary: Han Solo and Chewbacca's adventures before joining the Rebellion, including their early encounters with Lando Calrissian.

Solo: A Star Wars Story, directed by Ron Howard, stars Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson, and Thandie Newton. It will be released May 25th.

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