Han Solo was described as a scoundrel by Leia in The Empire Strikes Back. After watching Woody Harrelson in Han Solo as Tobias Beckett, I think Leia would describe him as a scoundrel, too. Albeit a more complicated one, though maybe not after seeing Han’s origin story. In this interview with Woody, he delights a group of 25 with his laid-back vibe and ‘learn from my mistakes’ advice.

Thank you, Disney, for inviting me to the #HanSoloEvent and providing travel and accommodations. All opinions on how giddy I am about a double scoundrel sandwich in Solo are my own.

Woody Harrelson in Han Solo as Tobias Beckett

Woody’s character was the hardest for me to evaluate in Solo: A Star Wars Story. As some people say, “it’s complicated.” I was curious how Woody described Tobias.

Woody Harrelson: “He’s a bit of a harda**, and he’s kind of tough on Han. I think it’s probably good if you’re gonna want to try to make someone into a very street smart survivor in that universe. Maybe that’s how he had to be… 

Well I think in some ways, he’s complicated in the sense that he’s not always as chummy as he could be. I’d say he’s a survivor who really also does have this image of life, wanting to be done with this life of criminality and ultimately, just be playing the valachord, living in a remote planet somewhere.”

Woody Harrelson Tried to Say No to the Role

Woody Harrelson:“I was shooting this movie “Lost in London” which I wrote and directed, and I did that just before. Then I was going to go home, and then they were like we want you to meet these guys Phil and Chris about doing this Solo movie. And I felt like my family was tired of being told I’m definitely done after this and then this one.

Then I met them, great guys but then I did decide not to do it ironically. Same with “Hunger Games.” Same thing happened and the same Producer Alli Schearmur, who’s an incredible lady who unfortunately passed shortly after we finished shooting, would not take no for an answer the first time and luckily, she didn’t take no the second time.”

However, now he really is taking a break from acting, so don’t pressure him guys! Though if there was another Hunger Games film, I wouldn’t be sad about it.

 

On Being a Role Model of What Not to Do

Woody Harrelson talked about Jack Nicholson being a mentor to him. They lived close to each other in L.A., and Jack gave him a lot of good advice. So has he been the same to Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo?

Woody Harrelson:“Love Alden, love him, awesome, awesome guy. Really hard worker. I mean, very hard worker. We’d all have our little cubicles (on the set) and then he was next to me and he’d be in there like taking piano lessons. He’d be in there reading novels… I really admire his work ethic, and I think just the way he cultivates himself as a human, he’s an extraordinary guy. He’s not just like a silly dopey party animal like some actors coming up or like I was coming up.”

Did you give him any advice?

Woody Harrelson: “Well, kind of like with my kids. I think I’m a great example of what not to do. Great example. So I think I’ve done well as that kind of model for him.”

The Secret Behind the Smile

Sometimes it seems like Woody Harrelson is being hard on himself. He knows he’s made some mistakes, but behind those life lessons is a really happy and grateful guy.

Is that a real Woody Harrelson life hack?

Woody Harrelson: “I do feel like a pretty genuinely happy person. And I think part of it, a big part of it is just gratitude. I’m very grateful for the life I have. I feel like all of us who do movies and probably all of you write about movies, we’re breathing a bit of a rarefied air.

And I feel really lucky because there was a point in which I kind of gave up and it was early on. I hadn’t even got a job yet and I just was like, I think I can’t do it. And I don’t know how to crack it. And so yeah gratitude. Life hack.”

Amen, Woody. He’s right. I do know that I’m breathing rarefied air, and I am incredibly grateful. In a world full of entitlement, it was nice to meet and interview such down-to-earth talent. I’m digging Woody Harrelson in Han Solo as the complicated scoundrel. We get two scoundrels for the price of one!

Check out Woody Harrelson as Tobias Beckett in Solo: A Star Wars Story, in theaters now!!

Is Solo Kid Friendly? Check out my parent review now!