Woody Harrelson has suggested he will play Garris Shrike in the Han Solo 'Star Wars' spin-off.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson

The 'Hunger Games' actor was announced to be joining the movie in a mystery role last month and now he has seemingly confirmed he will portray the former bounty hunter who raised the smuggler.

Asked if he will play Han's mentor, Garris Shrike, in the origins story, Woody paused for a long time, asked for a repeat of the question and then admitted to Variety: "Yeah, I am."

However, Lucasfilm's Pablo Hidalgo later took to Twitter to suggest all wasn't as it seemed.

He tweeted: "I'll let others sort it out, but ask yourself - what question was he answering?"

And website /film suggested the 55-year-old actor was just confirming he would play a mentor to the main character.

Woody previously teased his character is a "bit of a criminal".

He said: "I'm a mentor to Han. I'm also a bit of a criminal.

"I don't think I should say more than that because the Force is not allowing me."

Movie bosses are thrilled to have the actor on board for the movie alongside Alden Ehrenreich (Han Solo), Donald Glover (Lando Calrissian) and Emilia Clarke.

Of Woody's casting, the film's directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller said: "We couldn't be more excited to work with an artist with as much depth and range as Woody.

"His ability to find both humour and pathos, often in the same role, is truly unique. He is also very good at ping pong."

His casting comes after LucasFilm chief Kathleen Kennedy - who is also a producer for the film - teased the movie will have a "Western-type feel".

She revealed: "This moves closer to a heist or Western-type feel. We've talked about [Western-era artist Frederic] Remington and those primary colours that are used in his paintings defining the look and feel of the film."

The movie - which is currently untitled - is slated for release in late 2018.

Tagged in