Han Solo actress Thandie Newton assures film 'amazing' despite shakeup

Some intel about the Han Solo spinoff from behind the ultra-secretive film’s production force field: Actress Thandie Newton — who has an undisclosed role in the upcoming Star Wars film — tells EW that despite rumors of Ron Howard having to re-shoot most of the movie after replacing original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the changes weren’t all that drastic — at least from her behind-the-scenes perspective.

“Apart from the initial shock and feeling bad for [Lord and Miller] not being able to finish their work, their work is everywhere in it,” says the actress, who last month completed some additional shooting in London on the film. “Ninety percent of my stuff is with them. And it certainly wasn’t about, ‘Oh we have to start again and do it all over.'”

Howard took over the project — whose official title was recently unveiled as Solo: A Star Wars Story — from The LEGO Movie directors in June amid worrisome reports that Lucasfilm was displeased by the space Western’s creative direction.

“Obviously, it was a surprise,” says Newton of the switch. “I love Phil and Chris — everybody loves Phil and Chris — they’re so brilliant. Ron and the guys were talking to each other. As far as I’m concerned what’s on screen, in the end, is going to be an amazing collaboration. It’s a massive piece. We see so often now there are two directors working on pictures. We already had two with Phil and Chris. Now there’s three. With a project like that where it’s a vision that’s been created over so many years, that’s so expansive, I think it’s less about things going wrong than getting more help to bring it into the best position it can be in. I really like Ron though, he’s very sweet. And [the film is] dope; it’s so cool! And it’s such a great cast with Phoebe [Waller-Bridge], [Alden] Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Woody [Harrelson] and, of course, you know the wonderful Game of Thrones angel, Emilia [Clarke].”

Now Newton is back to work HBO’s Westworld, which is currently shooting its a role which earned her an Emmy nomination this year. Solo: A Star Wars story will be released May 25, 2018. For ongoing Star Wars scoop follow EW’s Anthony Breznican and bookmark our Star Wars hub.