Star Wars Veterans Embraced Each Other On The Set Of Willow
There is a lot of crossover in Hollywood; actors with signature skill sets are used across different genres and franchises, sometimes running into former co-stars. For instance, two actors from the massive franchise that is "Star Wars" had the opportunity to see each other again on the set of "Willow," the new Disney+ series continuing the story from the '80s cult classic. This time, however, their characters are on opposite sides of a budding war.
Erin Kellyman and Joonas Suotamo are in three episodes of "Willow" together, but they weren't strangers beforehand, having previously appeared alongside each other in "Solo: A Star Wars Story." And when they met up for the series, the two debated re-creating a behind-the-scenes image taken on the set of the film, but Kellyman quickly changed her mind when she saw what her co-star looks like in character (via Lucasfilm.com). "We thought, 'Hey, let's recreate me taking you piggyback like we did on Solo,'" Suotamo revealed, "And as soon as she saw the costume, she said, 'We're not doing this.'"
Of course, the two characters that each of them plays are very different from each other, and Kellyman and Suotamo both show an immense amount of range and talent to pull them off. Here is where you've seen the actors in both projects, and their background working together.
Erin Kellyman is a fighter in both franchises
Erin Kellyman is a British actor with about a dozen projects under her belt. However, her filmography is amazingly dense and shows she is a force to be reckoned with. She apparently has a good relationship with Disney since not only is she in "Willow" and "Solo," but she also had a major role as the leader of the Flag Smashers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."
In "Willow," Kellyman plays Jade Claymore, a dedicated friend and swordswoman who abandons her plans to join the all-male Shining Legion to help her friend Kit (Ruby Cruz) rescue her brother. She is strong, trustworthy, and strong-willed, with a definite moral compass. Unbeknownst to the rest of the rescue team, she's also in love with Kit, which may or may not attribute to her decision to stay behind.
Her character in "Solo," Enfys Nest, a notorious pirate and the leader of the Cloud Riders, is a less honorable warrior. She first comes into conflict with Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) when she plans to steal the valuable hyperspace fuel, coaxium, from him and his leader, Beckett (Woody Harrelson). However, Nest and Solo find themselves in allegiance against Crimson Dawn by the film's end.
But where did she come into contact with Joonas Suotamo in either of these projects? Well, his size will give you a clue.
Joonas Suotamo uses his size in both roles
Joonas Suotamo is a behemoth. Standing in at just under seven feet tall, the actor's height helped him land the iconic role of Chewbacca when he stepped in for Peter Mayhew in 2017's "Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi" after doubling for him in 2015's "Star Wars: Episode VI – The Force Awakens." In an interview with Disneyland Experience at the former film's premiere, Suotamo said that he is grateful to be able to join a franchise he was raised on and that Mayhew was gracious enough to help him take over. The Finnish actor also spoke about Chewbacca's huggability, saying, "My huggability factor goes up tenfold when I'm in the suit, and it's the greatest thing because the character is so lovable, and that's an added bonus that I surely don't take for granted."
While his huggability was enough to get Erin Kellyman to jump on his back for a piggyback ride on the set of "Solo," his character on "Willow" is decidedly less huggable. The Scourge is a giant beast of a creature with worn, leathery skin who wears a cage on his head and sports spikes that make him extremely dangerous. He comes face-to-face with Jade when he and his companions, the Gales, attack and kidnap Prince Airk Tanthalos (Dempsey Bryk). One look at his terrifying character, and you can understand why Kellyman opted not to re-create their behind-the-scenes photo for "Willow."