EntertainmentThe Tonight Show/NBC Paul Bettany (L) and Jimmy Fallon (R) on "The Tonight Show"
- Actor Paul Bettany told Jimmy Fallon on Thursday's "The Tonight Show" that he sent a text to "Solo: A Star Wars Story" director Ron Howard begging for a role in the movie.
- Howard responded, "LOL I'll get back to you."
- Bettany was cast as the movie's villain after Howard stepped in to replace Phil Lord and Chris Miller, and actor Michael K. Williams could not return for reshoots.
Actor Paul Bettany really wanted to be involved in the "Star Wars" franchise, so much so that he sent a desperate text to "Solo: A Star Wars Story" director Ron Howard for a role in the film.
On "The Tonight Show" on Thursday, Bettany told Jimmy Fallon that he texted Howard "begging" to be in the movie.
The text from Bettany said, "Have you ever spent long winter evenings wondering why you're not in the Star Wars franchise? I have."
Howard responded, "LOL I'll get back to you." Fallon shared a screenshot of the text, which you can see below:
The Tonight Show/NBC
"If you don't ask you don't get," Bettany told Fallon. "You have to beg."
Bettany's text worked after all, as the actor was cast after the original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were fired over creative differences and Howard stepped in to replace them.
Bettany replaced Michael K. Williams in the movie, who could not return for reshoots. The villain role of Dryden Vos was reworked for Bettany.
"[Howard] got back to me and two weeks later I was flying over to be in 'Star Wars,'" Bettany continued.
Bettany already starred in another blockbuster this year with "Avengers: Infinity War" as Vision. He'll finally make his "Star Wars" debut when "Solo" comes to theaters May 25.
Watch the full clip below: