Tessa Thompson, Zoe Kravitz among those testing for Han Solo Film

 

Variety has an exclusive report out this evening regarding the actresses who appear to be testing for the lead female role in the upcoming Han Solo film from Lord and Miller.

 

The most prominent name mentioned in Variety’s piece is undoubtedly Tessa Thompson who has quickly become a star after great turns in Selma and Creed.  She is also currently earning her geek cred by playing Valkyrie in the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok.

 

 

Also mentioned in the piece are Zoe Kravitz of Mad Max: Fury Road and Naomi Scott who will be playing the Pink Ranger in the upcoming Power Rangers movie.  Variety states that these actresses are testing and does not refer to them as finalists, so it is possible more names will leak out as a result of this story.

 

Also of note in Variety’s piece, they reference the rumors that Donald Glover was the finalist for the role of young Lando Calrissian.  Variety reconfirms those rumors, but states the filmmakers are going back for a second round of testing to confirm the choice.

 

 

With production slated to start early next years, casting rumors are likely to heat up as we get closer to the start of filming in just a few short months.

 

Source: Variety

 

 

+ posts

115 thoughts on “Tessa Thompson, Zoe Kravitz among those testing for Han Solo Film

  • October 6, 2016 at 2:32 am
    Permalink

    Outstanding. It’s truly wonderful to see more and more diversity in Star Wars. With a world as diverse as our Earth, it only makes sense that a galaxy would be even moreso.

    • October 6, 2016 at 2:46 am
      Permalink

      Gag

      • October 6, 2016 at 3:24 am
        Permalink

        Seriously? You’re disgusted by a Star Wars universe with a range of genders and skin pigmentations? Why?

        • October 6, 2016 at 3:30 am
          Permalink

          I wouldn’t waste time man.

          • October 6, 2016 at 3:59 am
            Permalink

            The standard we walk past is the standard we accept.

            The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing.

            When I witness injustice it is my duty to raise my voice against it. Always.

          • October 6, 2016 at 4:04 am
            Permalink

            All he wants is attention, don’t give em the satisfaction. The mods will handle it soon enough anyway.

          • October 6, 2016 at 4:05 am
            Permalink

            He wants to get a rise out of people. Feeding him with attention will only make him want to return. I respect your chivalrous nature though.

          • October 6, 2016 at 4:05 am
            Permalink

            Thank you.

          • October 6, 2016 at 4:28 am
            Permalink

            Yeah, but sometimes just let it go. It’s not injustice, just a moron with a shitty opinion. Wasting your time.

    • October 6, 2016 at 4:18 am
      Permalink

      Sorry, but this sounds so rehearsed… I personally don’t have any problem with “skin pigmentation” but with the new canon, the idea that Han was married kinda sucks, imo

      • October 6, 2016 at 4:28 am
        Permalink

        But he wasn’t…

        • October 6, 2016 at 4:46 am
          Permalink

          Exactly 🙂

          • October 7, 2016 at 5:16 am
            Permalink

            Maybe he was and she died.

      • October 6, 2016 at 4:52 am
        Permalink

        Han and Sana weren’t “married” though. It was just a story.

  • October 6, 2016 at 2:38 am
    Permalink

    I imagine the role is probably for Sana.
    A nice integration of the canon.

    • October 6, 2016 at 2:43 am
      Permalink

      Who else but Han’s wife?

    • October 6, 2016 at 2:58 am
      Permalink

      With the 1st two actresses I would’ve agreed with you but with the 3rd being really light skinned or white, I’m not so sure.

      • October 6, 2016 at 3:46 am
        Permalink

        To be fair, Saw Gerrera’s skin tone in The Clone Wars technically doesn’t fit with Forest Whitaker’s.

        • October 6, 2016 at 4:38 am
          Permalink

          Nor does his eye color. I’m interested in finding out how that one is explained.

          • October 6, 2016 at 6:11 am
            Permalink

            I don’t think Forest Whitaker looks at all like Saw Gerrera, but his eye colour is what bothers me most. I doubt we’ll get an explanation any time soon, we’ll probably just have to accept that this is how he looks in this medium.

          • October 6, 2016 at 7:05 am
            Permalink

            Does it really need to be explained?

            Do I need to know why Ahsoka’s skin patterns are different in two different shows? Or why Hayden Christensen is way taller than Ewan MacGregor compared to Anakin-Obi-Wan height difference in the Clone Wars cartoon?

            Or can we accept the tiniest bit of poetic license? Are we that fascist?

          • October 6, 2016 at 7:45 am
            Permalink

            That depends on your definition of tiny. Images of Forest Whitaker’s character were around for quite a while before it was announced that he is Saw Gerrera. So far as I know, very few people – if any – deduced his identity during that time. If you see a familiar character and have no idea that’s who it is, is that really just a tiny inconsistency?

          • October 6, 2016 at 5:00 pm
            Permalink

            If you have no idea who that is…then what are you comparing the image to???

          • October 6, 2016 at 6:22 pm
            Permalink

            What I mean is we were familiar with Saw Gerrera from TCW, then we saw the image of Forest Whitaker as an unknown character. If the appearance was faithful, I think people should have been able to guess who it was.

          • October 6, 2016 at 8:37 pm
            Permalink

            For 95% of moviegoers – me including – Saw Gerrera will be a perfectly uncnown character. Most of them newes saw Clone Wars cartoons. And from the small group of tnose who didi not everyone will rememberr every character from the series.

          • October 6, 2016 at 8:43 pm
            Permalink

            I see where you’re coming from, but I’m speaking as a fan of the show. Other TCW fans should have been able to guess who it was, but so far as I know, they couldn’t.

          • October 6, 2016 at 9:08 pm
            Permalink

            I respect that and I understand you. My point is that if there was really a need to include cartoon character into a live action show, an act only diehard fans would notice, then why no take some little effort to make this character as true to the original as possible? It would be ridiculously easy. Now what is ridiculous here is the drastical change of appearance of this character after major part of te movie was filmed……and, as you said, they forgot the lenses….

          • October 6, 2016 at 10:02 pm
            Permalink

            People did guess who it was, even thought the character is 20 years older than what we saw him as in a cartoon show.

          • October 6, 2016 at 10:21 pm
            Permalink

            Then I guess I missed those theories. Still, his appearance isn’t close enough for my liking, so much so that when they announced he was Saw Gerrera, I had instantly assumed that giving him that name was an afterthought. Call some of us fascist if you want, but when we care about something enough, we do become protective, and in the case of art, want to see it look just right.

          • October 6, 2016 at 10:27 pm
            Permalink

            For example, had someone looking like Michael Ealy been cast, there wouldn’t have been a doubt in my mind.

          • October 7, 2016 at 12:28 am
            Permalink

            He also doesn’t have one of his legs. So, stuff happened, that seems “just right”.

          • October 7, 2016 at 12:33 am
            Permalink

            Come on, you know that’s different. Anyway, you think they look alike, I think they don’t. Let’s just leave it there.

          • October 7, 2016 at 5:15 am
            Permalink

            When a sizable percentage of fans lash out irrationally over the altered death of Greedo’s 10-second scene, than yes, we are that fascist.

          • October 7, 2016 at 10:07 pm
            Permalink

            False Equivalence: That was a plot point describing the decision-making of a character (which was unsound and dumbed down both characters). Its not about what color eyes somebody has in one medium, 20 years prior.

          • October 9, 2016 at 7:38 pm
            Permalink

            Are you defending that change? Because if you are this entire forum may as well block you. You will have NOTHING of note to contribute from here on out if you think THAT shot was changed for the betterment of the story, the film, and the terrible effects used to alter it.

        • October 6, 2016 at 4:45 am
          Permalink

          No, and that doesn’t bother me b/c it’s pretty close but IF this is what the role is for (Sana) then I’d hope the skin colors to be close.

        • October 6, 2016 at 5:18 pm
          Permalink

          And the stylized graphics don’t either. Live action Dooku’s head wasn’t shaped that way, was same said for many.

      • October 6, 2016 at 4:28 am
        Permalink

        It’s not 1 to 1 from comic to movie. Not an issue.

  • October 6, 2016 at 2:45 am
    Permalink

    Ohhh goody…it’s clear what Disney has as their priority ….give me a break

    • October 6, 2016 at 3:23 am
      Permalink

      Yes – it’s clear that the diverse team at Lucasfilm are creating a Star Wars universe that more closely reflects the beautiful diversity of our own world and universe, and I’m all for it. Give us more!

      If you seriously have a problem with Star Wars including people with a range of genders and skin pigmentations then you seriously do have a problem.

    • October 6, 2016 at 4:27 am
      Permalink

      And it’s clear what you have as yours. Heaven forbid a non-white person get a lead role. Why so sensitive?

    • October 6, 2016 at 6:50 am
      Permalink

      Infinite diversity in infinite combinations.

    • October 6, 2016 at 8:10 am
      Permalink

      Please explain why white people are inherently entitled to star in all films, and any deviation from that norm is Disney pushing an agenda.

      • October 6, 2016 at 8:15 am
        Permalink

        To be honest, I’m shocked it took the racism this long to infiltrate the message board.

        • October 6, 2016 at 1:11 pm
          Permalink

          Afraid to think what will happen if BLUE Max is made cannon .. 😉

        • October 6, 2016 at 3:45 pm
          Permalink

          It has been here since they cast Finn lol. This site has always attracted racist for some reason.

          • October 6, 2016 at 10:40 pm
            Permalink

            Every site has them

          • October 6, 2016 at 11:58 pm
            Permalink

            I think it’s just the nature of the Internet. People can say things they’d never, not once in a million years, say in the direct presence of others. And they can do it with complete anonymity. It’s pretty chicken s$%& behavior, but that’s no surprise. I also really question the authenticity of some of these comments. I’m sure a good portion of them are just saying things they think are controversial (rather than the reality of just being stupid) in order to garner some sort of attention.

          • October 7, 2016 at 5:13 am
            Permalink

            No, I mean I’m surprised it took this long for this particular article.

          • October 7, 2016 at 5:23 am
            Permalink

            Oh well that makes more sense lol.

      • October 6, 2016 at 8:41 am
        Permalink

        To play devils advocate it could be said that many minorities don’t really create much of anything; yet they demand over representation. Who is the majority demographic that has been holding the torch these many years for Star Wars, Star Trek, Gostbuster, and all the other sci-fi and fantasy intellectual properties? Who is the majority demographic that creates said properties?

        Also this “diversification” of media might be an easier for some pill to digest it there wasn’t a perceived constant need by modern media to portray white heterosexual males as evil and/or buffoonish. But that’s just me playing devils advocate.

        • October 6, 2016 at 10:13 am
          Permalink

          Sharing a race with the creators doesn’t entitle white fans to anything, and why should it? These properties are the works of specific groups of individuals, and it is arbitrary – and rather self-serving – to accredit those accomplishments to the entire white race.

          Besides, the creators have delivered on whatever the fans paid for in the past. Nothing is owed for any “torch holding” that was voluntarily carried out by followers (it would be absurd if fans having fun somehow resulted in a debt owed to them by the creators of that fun).

          In the end, the creators do what they feel best supports their business goals. If they choose to listen to the demands of minorities, that’s their choice alone, and as a fan, you either pay for it, or you don’t. That’s how we have our say: we vote with our money. If what they’re doing is so wrong, it will hurt them eventually.

          As for white hetero males constantly being villains or buffoonish, I refute that observation entirely. I’ll use the MCU as an example because it is quite modern and has many lead characters to observe. Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Agent Coulson, Ant-Man, Star Lord, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man are straight white males. Quake, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Black Panther are not. I’m confident that a full survey of sci-fi / action movie leads isn’t necessary to prove this point.

          • October 6, 2016 at 11:11 am
            Permalink

            First off I would to thank you for creating a well thought out, and coherent response. Far too much of the time in these conversation there in no more reason given than petty virtue signaling, and “insert current year” reasoning, and other non-arguments.

            I would like to point out that many of these creations are not be carried forward by their original creators, but instead by a new generation of what some could view as less talented writers who could not create an original “world” on their own.

            In someways sharing race between the creators and the fans does at least explain the negative reaction that fans have with the inclusion of various minorities, sexualities, and genders inserted in to resurrected intellectual properties. The shared race in this case with white of western Europeans decent share a similar culture. They share similar social experiences, and the even share a common folk lore. The interjection of these “outsiders” disrupts that homogeneity.

            Worse yet this interjection of “outsiders” tends to be done in a insulting and intrusive manner. The old white male fans are not made to feel like they are a part of this change in the status quo, instead they are made into an enemy of this change and progress. To see what I mean by this just look at the modern rhetoric in response to any criticisms of female heroes. How many time did we hear that “If you don’t like Rey from The Force Awaken, or the all female Ghostbuster than you must be sexist”? How many times do we hear “If you don’t like Idris Elba cast as the gunslinger in the Dark Tower movie, well then you must be racist”?

            As for the Marvel MCU is there not a demand from the masses that long established characters have their sexuality, gender, and race changed all in the name of progressive diversity? Was there not a push just this year for Captain American to be re-written as a homosexual? How much longer before there is cave-in on this issue not for the sake of crafting better stories, but simply the desire to appeal to the masses? There was even a demand for a Muslim Jedi to be included in Star Wars even though this religion along with Christianity, and Judaism do not exist in the Star Wars universe.

          • October 6, 2016 at 2:20 pm
            Permalink

            I don’t even know where to start…

          • October 6, 2016 at 5:04 pm
            Permalink

            Because there’s really nothing there to begin with.

          • October 6, 2016 at 5:45 pm
            Permalink

            As I said it’s called playing Devil’s Advocate instead of pandering virtue signaling or saying because the “insert current year. You what to end racism and all the other “isims” you don’t like? Well that is done by deep discussion and understanding why people hold onto the view they do. Racism is not combated by smart ass responses and dismissive behavior. Tweeting out glib remarks will not make the world a better place.

          • October 6, 2016 at 8:20 pm
            Permalink

            I would start with the parents teaching their children about equality between races. It is what t I do. Then I hear stories of my friends in USA like – our school wanted to give job to one teacher. There were two finalists, black and white. Guess who got the job? In situations like this -my friends say – is the black man or women who usually wins, necause they are afraid that otherwise he would protest that it was racism. I don’t know if this really happens, I am from Europe, but I was also said that people normally doesn’ t talk about it because they are afraid of being stemped as racist.

          • October 7, 2016 at 12:02 am
            Permalink

            Because none of it makes a lick of sense.

          • October 6, 2016 at 7:31 pm
            Permalink

            I’m glad you liked it, it took me quite a while to articulate my thoughts. I agree, civil discussion is always the best way to explore and perhaps resolve disagreements.

            I don’t think it matters whether these are the original creators or the ones to whom the properties were passed, they were the ones entrusted by a lineage of creators tracing back to the originals, so they have the same rights and responsibilities in most cases. The decision to take a property in a certain direction falls onto their shoulders, just the same.

            An interruption of homogeneity may very well be where the frustration comes from, but western culture is neither stagnant nor homogeneous. The “outsiders” are also part of western culture (and have been for quite a long time now) whether white people like it or not. The definition of western culture has changed, and I believe this change should be reflected on screen. As I said, the white majority is not entitled to favouritism from the creators just because of a racial relationship, so if the creators feel they want to reflect the new heterogeneous reality of the west, fans who are bothered by this notion will just have to support it begrudgingly or leave.

            I agree that the reactions of certain folks are unwarranted. We may not be entitled to the properties we love, but we are entitled to forming and respectfully voicing our own opinions about them. As for the issue of how much a part of this movement straight white men feel, I think it’s a different beast than what we’re discussing, as it stems from the attitudes of the masses rather than from the properties and creators. I’d rather not get into that.

            Again, if the creators choose to go along with this movement (or any specific suggestions of certain followers), that’s their right (and I feel, with the exception of a couple personal issues I have, Disney has exercised good judgment so far with both Marvel and Star Wars). We get to voice our opinions about their work here and choose whether or not to spend our bucks at theatres, that’s our right. Ideally, when people do go online and voice their opinions, we can have respectful conversations rather than making attacks against the virtue of the commentator.

        • October 6, 2016 at 2:14 pm
          Permalink

          “Many minorities don’t create much of anything?” What a stupid statement. Minorities have every ability to create and produce art as much as whites do. What they haven’t had until recently is the opportunity, because of institutional racism, which has prevented them from even getting in the door of the industry.

          If you saw black people in movies, they were the ones being portrayed as the buffoons and subservant to the white lead characters.

          This movie had whites in roles of heroes and villains. It also had minorities in roles of heroes and villains. You have an entire pirate gang of Asian guys that wants to kill Han Solo. We see black people alongside whites serving the First Order.

          But of course, the white man is supreme, and we need to complain when they are cast as villains and minorities occupy the hero roles that were the entitlement of whites for decades in movies.

          • October 6, 2016 at 2:18 pm
            Permalink

            Well said. Thank you.

        • October 6, 2016 at 2:17 pm
          Permalink

          “It could be said that many minorities don’t really create much of anything; yet they demand over representation.”

          Are you serious?

          “…constant need by modern media to portray white heterosexual males as evil and/or buffoonish”

          Are you really serious?

        • October 6, 2016 at 5:06 pm
          Permalink

          Yes. Eminem shouldn’t be a rap artist and Elvis should have been shunned from popular media, by your rules.

        • October 6, 2016 at 7:42 pm
          Permalink

          “…constant need by modern media to portray white heterosexual males as evil and/or buffoonish”

          Only if they are English is this norm.

      • October 6, 2016 at 11:56 pm
        Permalink

        He won’t explain anything. Because he can’t.

      • October 7, 2016 at 6:13 pm
        Permalink

        Because white people spend the $$$

    • October 6, 2016 at 11:41 am
      Permalink

      You meant: “Been a SW fan forever. Love wookies, twileks and geonosians… but gosh… blacks?? Asians?? Latinos??”

      • October 7, 2016 at 6:12 pm
        Permalink

        Yes, disgusting

  • October 6, 2016 at 3:41 am
    Permalink

    SANA SOLO!!

  • October 6, 2016 at 3:51 am
    Permalink

    Any chance for Rae Sloane?

    • October 6, 2016 at 5:01 am
      Permalink

      Oooh, interesting idea!

    • October 6, 2016 at 1:10 pm
      Permalink

      I think both are a possibility !

    • October 7, 2016 at 3:47 am
      Permalink

      They just need Rae Sloane to appear in something outside of books and comics, but yes that would be interesting.

  • October 6, 2016 at 4:33 am
    Permalink

    I think it’s great what Disney is doing. The world is changing, society is evolving and its becoming a lot more open to acceptance and equality. And if Star Wars is going to continue to thrive then it needs to accept this change and be the change.

    • October 6, 2016 at 1:52 pm
      Permalink

      Yeah, thanks Disney. I´m gonna love more black people thanks to Star Wars… But norteamerican police still shoot first.
      It´s all about education, not the influence of a fantasy movie.

      • October 6, 2016 at 2:15 pm
        Permalink

        But films DO educate us, and they’re a very, very powerful tool for doing so. The more we see people with diverse range of genders and skin-pigmentations in strong, high-profile, heroic, positive roles the more we as a society tend to associate people with those genders and skin-pigmentations as being strong, heroic, positive figures.

        • October 7, 2016 at 1:23 am
          Permalink

          More like indoctrination. Fantasy has a strong influence on the weak minded, like you. Racial/gender quotas are a joke. Grow a brain, please.

        • October 7, 2016 at 3:08 pm
          Permalink

          If all things were as you said, then I should go out to the street and kill and hate more muslims and blacks, thanks to the actual Hollywood cinema they do nowadays…
          I don´t care a shit about Disney. They are not going to change anything of what I do because they send subliminal messages or some things like that.

          • October 12, 2016 at 9:44 pm
            Permalink

            10 forum posts and all of them negative. A troll is a troll.

          • October 13, 2016 at 9:28 pm
            Permalink

            Where is the negativity in my comments? It depends who read them. The fact I dislike Disney as megacorp is negative? Seriously? That is your point of view.
            And one more thing, if you have taken the trouble to search all my comments I only can say: sir, you need to get a life (or sex in your life or something alike…).

          • October 13, 2016 at 9:52 pm
            Permalink

            When I checked, you only had 10 comments. I was able to put my sex life on hold for 40 seconds (no easy feat, I assure you) in order to scan through them.

            But really, you seem to have a great dislike of Disney and the current plans to extend the Star Wars film universe. And yet here you are, engaging in conversation about those same things. So, it might be you that needs to get a life (or sex in your life for something alike…).

            Alike?

            But that’s just my point of view.

      • October 7, 2016 at 1:24 am
        Permalink

        I know, right? White American cops are out to shoot and kill law abiding, peace-loving blacks. Gnomesayin’?

    • October 7, 2016 at 5:18 am
      Permalink

      I just wish the spaceship and vehicle designs could change as quickly as the gender/racial diversity…

    • October 7, 2016 at 10:38 am
      Permalink

      Yeah, the diversity is awesome. I really like it as well. Now if they could apply some diversity to the planets in Star Wars that would be awesome. No more new desert planets please. Give me some exotic locals and metropolitan areas.

  • October 6, 2016 at 6:33 am
    Permalink

    TESSA THOMPSON and no reason to second guess it. I never wanted a Han Solo movie, but they’re adding so much talent that Im starting to think this is going to be a good movie whether I wanted to see it or not.

    • October 6, 2016 at 6:42 am
      Permalink

      Agreed. I also really hope they’re still planning to get Ava DuVernay in to direct a Star Wars film, as was previously suggested. “Selma” was an outstanding film. I’m really looking forward to seeing what she does with “A Wrinkle in Time”.

    • October 6, 2016 at 7:20 am
      Permalink

      they had me at lord and miller, but the more i hear about it the more excited i am.

      • October 9, 2016 at 7:40 pm
        Permalink

        Nope, nope. Obviously going to be terrible. Anything new is bad. Anything generated by the mouse is bad. You can’t recast Han Solo and expect fans to pay to see the movie. Can’t expect it to be good either because Harrison Ford is a legend and this just besmirches that legend.

        Sorry. It’ll be bad. Always bad. So very bad.

        There, I didn’t see enough of this in the thread.

  • October 6, 2016 at 1:49 pm
    Permalink

    Any of those girls looks like more Han Solo than Alden Newhitlersfhreich do…

    • October 6, 2016 at 8:02 pm
      Permalink

      Hahahaha there is point in what you said. Besides, I wonder who will be actually interested in any love interest of young Han Solo (even if he looked like Han Solo) when we all knows it won’ t last long and his true love aeaits him in Dath Star prison…..just kidding, really. This movie I’ll just ignore..

    • October 7, 2016 at 1:27 am
      Permalink

      You saying they are butch like Michelle ‘Chewbacca’ Obama is?

      • October 7, 2016 at 6:40 am
        Permalink

        Wow. You are seriously, seriously a jackass.

  • October 6, 2016 at 2:41 pm
    Permalink

    As much as I like the casting moves and some of the production staff around this story, I’m still uneasy about messing around with the Han Solo prior to ANH on the big screen.

  • October 6, 2016 at 3:03 pm
    Permalink

    The only thing that should matter is how talented these actresses are. For me skin colour doesn’t matter at all. Black, asian, latino, white…who cares at all? They are as human beings as we are.
    ( If disney really want divers heroes, give main roles to alien creatures! )
    Besides I really don’t like the idea of Han Solo’s former love interest, I never imagined Han to have one, for me he was a cool gangster/smuggler who always search for some adventure, and never thinking about setteling down.

    • October 6, 2016 at 3:18 pm
      Permalink

      Just b/c he had a love interest doesn’t mean he was thinking about settling down.

    • October 7, 2016 at 1:38 am
      Permalink

      Yes! If they keep excluding aliens from leading roles, they’re just approaching storytelling with the same mentality that often leaves human minorities out of these roles. While I commend Lucasfilm for the diversity of the main cast in Rogue One, I find it odd that in a galaxy with so many species, it is composed of five humans and a droid. At least the television shows seem to be more adventurous.

      As for Han Solo having a love interest, I would actually expect it of him. He is a scoundrel, after all.

  • October 7, 2016 at 1:18 am
    Permalink

    I loved Star Wars better when it wasn’t a social experiment.

    • October 7, 2016 at 3:37 am
      Permalink

      So I guess black people = social experiment. nice.

    • October 7, 2016 at 3:42 am
      Permalink

      Based on your history, you really don’t like black people. YIKES

    • October 7, 2016 at 6:38 am
      Permalink

      Seriously, you think including women and black people makes Star Wars a “social experiment”?

      You’ve got some serious issues to work through.

      Also, you are aware that the creator of Star Wars – George Lucas – is married to a black woman?

Comments are closed.

LATEST POSTS ON MOVIE NEWS NET