Han Solo Movie: Who is Val? Who is Thandie Newton's character?

Solo is already ramping up to be a blockbuster as reviews are starting to trickle in.

Though some of the characters are younger iterations of familiar faces, like Han himself and Lando Calrissian, there are a few new names cropping up.

Val, a smuggler, is one of them.

Who is Val in the Han Solo Movie?

Solo stars Thandie Newton as Val, a no-nonsense member of Tobias Beckett’s crew.

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Her role is centre stage alongside Han, played by Alden Ehrenreich, and Chewie (Joonas Suotamo) lead by Harrelson as Beckett.

Star Wars‘ official Solo site describes her as “a crack shot with a blaster rifle.”

Much else remains a mystery, but Newton recently made waves as she dropped some information on Val.

In an interview with the Guardian, Newton said: “I am the first dark-skinned woman in a lead role in the Star Wars legacy, which is both great, that it is finally a correction, and awful, that it’s taken this long.”

Newton is quick not to detract from the performance of fellow actress Lupita Nyong’o (The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi), but added that her character, Maz, was computer generated.

“You didn’t get to see the colour of [Nyong’o’s] skin. I’m the first.”

I am the first dark-skinned woman in a lead role in the Star Wars legacy, which is both great, that it is finally a correction, and awful, that it’s taken this long

Thandie Newton, The Guardian

Solo merchandise will include a figurine of Val, which Newton also said was very exciting and a big deal, but didn’t let any other hints drop about her character.

Clearly, it means that Val is set to be important to the Han Solo movie and perhaps beyond.

Thandie Newton became a household name for her nuanced and lauded performance in HBO‘s Westworld.

Newton has been vocal about the rife sexual assault within the acting industry since she began her career.

She now campaigns with Eve Ensler’s V-Day charity on behalf of women in developing countries.

Newton and Val may have a bit in common – level-headedness, strength, and most importantly a groundbreaking place in the Star Wars franchise history.

Solo: A Star Wars Story is out in UK cinemas May 24, 2018