20 Things You Didn't Know About Solo: A Star Wars Story
7. Paul Bettany Was Cast As Dryden Vos After Sending Ron Howard An Hilarious Text
As mentioned, Paul Bettany took over the Dryden Vos role from Michael K. Williams who was unfortunately unable to return to set for reshoots with Ron Howard.
As for how Bettany scored himself the gig? The answer is funnier and way less professional than you'd ever expect.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Bettany confirmed that he got word of the role being available and sent Ron Howard the hilariously unsubtle text, "Have you ever spent long winter evenings wondering why you're not in the Star Wars franchise? I have."
Howard replied with, "LOL I'll get back to you," and that he certainly did, with Bettany winning the part all because he bothered to send a half-joking text.
Now to be fair, Bettany had previously worked with Howard on both A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code, so they clearly had a working relationship and he didn't just text out of the blue. Even so, that's one hell of a way to nab a role.
Don't ask, don't get, as the saying goes.