Originally published March 3, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
According to an exclusive report from Variety, Michael K. Williams (The Wire, The Night Of) is likely to become the latest actor to step into the Star Wars universe, as he’s in final negotiations to join the cast of the still-untitled Han Solo standalone movie. As of now, his exact role in the film is unknown.
Williams will star alongside Alden Ehrenreich (Han Solo), Donald Glover (Lando Calrissian), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Much like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the folks over at Disney and Lucasfilm are compiling an ensemble filled with A-list actors, up-and-comers and much-loved TV actors alike, with Williams falling into the latter of those categories.
While primarily known for his TV work, especially on such shows as The Wire, Boardwalk Empire and The Night Of, Williams has consistently been working in movies as well, appearing in Triple 9, Ghostbusters, When the Bough Breaks and Assassin’s Creed in 2016 alone.
From Omar Little to Chalky White, Williams has a history of playing confident, no-nonsense men of power, but has more recently been showing off his lighter side in such projects as Community and The Spoils Before Dying.
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (21 Jump Street) are set to direct the Han Solo movie, with a script from longtime franchise screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and his son Jon. The movie, on which principle photography has already begun, hits theaters on May 25th, 2018.
