Michael K. Williams Says Emilia Clarke's Character Is Named "Kira" in the Han Solo Movie (Updated!)

By: Dominic Jones

Even though his character has (sadly) been cut from the upcoming untitled Han Solo, Michael K. Williams still knows a thing or two about that movie.  The actor was interviewed by Julie Miller in Vanity Fair recently about all of his upcoming projects, including the Han Solo film, and he dropped some interesting tidbits about the film--including the name of a previously unnamed character.

According to Williams, the character played by Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke is named Kira in the Han Solo film.  The actor described the role he would have played in the films as, "a link between Han Solo and Emilia’s character, Kira."

So, Emilia Clarke's character in named Kira in the film.  This is the second name of a new character we've learned, after Woody Harrelson revealed that his character's name is Becket in an interview.  It will be interesting to see how these characters interact with and influence the classic characters we'll be seeing in the film, like Han, Lando, and Chewbacca.

If the name Kira sounds familiar to you, that's because it was the original name for Rey during the concept phase of The Force Awakens. It was later used as the production code name for Rey on the set and was leaked in 2014, leading some to believe that was the character's actual name--including the makers of display at Celebration Anaheim (see below),

But that wasn't all Williams had to say about the film.  He further described his character as, 

"He wore this beautiful white kimono, was very regal. He had class, money strength, charisma . . . and he knew how to fight. He was a warrior. He had a lot of prestige. If he lived in our world he would probably hang out with Jay Z and Beyoncé."

Williams' role was cut from the film due to scheduling conflicts caused by the massive reshoots that are taking place on the film. The reshoots are a result of Ron Howard taking over as director of the film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller, after they were let go in late June.  

Even though he was cut, Williams still has good memories of his time on set.  He told Vanity Fair,

"I fanned out a little bit when Chewbacca walked on set. I kind of freaked out and hugged him at the waist. All you can grab is the waist because he’s so tall."

But Williams is confident his time in the galaxy far, far away isn't done, saying, "I feel very confident that I’ll be back in the galaxy, just not in the Han Solo project."

It will be interesting to see if the footage Williams shot with Lord and Miller on a blu-ray bonus feature.  Regardless, it sounds like a character that could be brought back in another project someday and it sounds like Williams would be game for that.

UPDATE: Our friends over at MakingStarWars.net have an extra tidbit about Emilia Clarke's character name in the Han Solo film.  Apparently her name is spelled "Kura" not "Kira."  So we'll be seeing Kura team up (or face off with) with Han & Chewie on the silver screen this May!

The untitled young Han Solo film hits theaters on May 25th, 2018 and stars Alden Ehrenreich (Hail Caesar!) as Han Solo, Donald Glover (Atlanta) as Lando Calrissian, Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Woody Harrelson (True Detective) as Beckett, Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Thandie Newton (Westworld), and Joonas Suotamo (The Force Awakens) as Chewbacca.  The film is directed by Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind), with a script by Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back) and his son Jon Kasdan (The First Time). 

Source: Vanity Fair

Follow The Star Wars Underworld on Twitter @TheSWU for more updates about this story and other breaking Star Wars news.