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PEOPLE & ARTS Thursday 24 May 2018
In taking on 'Solo,' Ehrenreich faced an unenviable task

By RYAN PEARSON, AP En- "I think Han's personality
tertainment Writer is so distinctive. I think it's
LOS ANGELES (AP) — probably more similar to
Thandie Newton jokes that something like the Joker
there might be something than Batman, because he
off about Alden Ehrenreich such a particular charac-
— because how else could ter," he said. "Batman is a lit-
he take on the pressure- tle more straight and you're
filled role of Han Solo with also in the mask a lot. But I
so much ease? think that it's for me like re-
"Every week, I was expect- ally important that you feel
ing a call that Alden had like you're watching a real
had a nervous breakdown person. I think that's what
and wouldn't be coming makes any movie work.
to work on Monday," New- And so it needs to feel like
ton, who plays the tough it has this continuity. So I
thief Val in "Solo: A Star wanted to absorb as much
Wars Story," joked during of all that as I could early on
a recent interview. "I actu- and then kind of move into
ally think there's something who is this guy now. And
wrong with him, probably we're also meeting him at a
like physically and mentally very different time in his life.
wrong with him that he was Who is he now and what is
able to sustain this." he about?"
Kidding aside, Ehrenreich Co-star Emilia Clarke, who
was saddled with a burden plays Han Solo's love in-
few actors would want to terest Qi'ra in the movie,
take on — having to play marveled at how Ehren-
an iconic character whose reich handled the pressure
identity is tied to a legend- with "such grace and such
ary actor in a storied fran- poise."
chise. "Anyone could have crum-
"Well, it takes a lot of guts," bled under the pressure
said Ron Howard, the di- that was there," she said.
rector of "Solo: A Star Wars "As actors, you put so much
Story. "And I was kind of pressure on yourself any-
close to something similar way in approaching roles
many years ago. I direct- and in approaching char-
ed Michael Keaton in a acters."
couple of movies and sud- In this May 12, 2018 photo, actor Alden Ehrenreich, who portrays a young Han Solo in the film, Paul Bettany, who plays vil-
denly he had this chance "Solo: A Star Wars Story" appears at a portrait session in Pasadena, Calif. lain Dryden Vos in the mov-
through his friend Tim Bur- ie, echoed Clarke's senti-
ton to be Batman. And he calm professionalism. He's did he have to make Han and "Beautiful Creatures," ment.
took the gamble and he a young guy but he's got Solo his own, he had to but in many ways is a new "He's fantastic in the film.
said yes. And at the time, that sort of maturity and do it while switching direc- face to many moviegoers. Secondly, he doesn't have
people were just outraged. he's also very creative." tors midway through after Ehrenreich said stepping to be Harrison Ford," he
They just couldn't possi- "Solo: A Star Wars Story" Lucasfilm fired the original into Harrison Ford's shoes said. "This is about how he
bly imagine him being a tells the backstory of the filmmakers and replaced to play the wisecracking becomes the Han Solo that
good Bruce Wayne. And character that Harrison them with Ron Howard. space smuggler posed you remember in 10 years'
of course he did a great Ford played over a span of This is Ehrenreich's biggest a unique challenge that time. So he's not that per-
job and had great success several decades, most re- and highest profile role by wasn't the same as multiple son. This is about him learn-
with it. Alden I think just ap- cently in 2016 in "Star Wars: far — he's appeared in flims actors playing a version of ing how to shoot first and
proached it with a kind of A Force Awakens." Not only including "Hail, Caesar!" a superhero like Batman. be that guy."q

Michael Jackson estate slams

ABC TV special on his last days

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The by Jackson's heirs, and will quest for comment.
Michael Jackson estate most likely violate their in- The estate says ABC was
is objecting to an ABC TV tellectual property rights. using a copyrighted image
special airing Thursday on The statement calls the to promote the special, but
the end of the life of the special an unauthorized stopped after demands
late King of Pop. attempt to exploit Jackson from Jackson attorneys.
The estate said in a state- without respect for his lega- It says it understands the
ment to The Associated cy or his children. show other intellectual
Press on Wednesday that Representatives for ABC property without permis-
FILE - In this March 5, 2009 file photo, Michael Jackson announc- "The Last Days of Michael owner Disney did not im- sion, including music, pho-
es upcoming concerts at the London O2 Arena in London. Jackson" is not approved mediately respond to a re- tos and artwork.q