Matthew Rhys is too afraid to talk to Harrison Ford about becoming Han Solo
Matthew Rhys admitted that he was “too afraid” to talk to Harrison Ford about voicing Han Solo in the Welsh version of Star Wars: A New Hope.
The experience of playing this iconic role was “weird”, added the 51-year-old from Cardiff, who moved to the US to pursue an acting career.
Ahead of the sci-fi classic's 50th anniversary next year, Star Wars will be dubbed into Welsh for the first time in a move that has been praised by the First Minister.
However, Welsh Conservatives called the £100,000 contribution from the Welsh Government "out of touch" with thousands of NHS patients waiting for treatment.
The Welsh Government said the project would “create jobs and grow our economy.”
In The Interview podcast of the New York Times, Rhys said that the project dedicated to the Welsh language gave him unexpected feelings.
“The weirdest thing was that they had to translate all these things that we grew up knowing about Star Wars,” recalls Rhys.
“I said something like 'pelydr cyrchu' in Welsh... it's something like 'tractor beam'."
The Beast in Me actor, who has popularized his Welsh heritage around the world, now lives in New York with his wife, actress Keri Russell.
“I was using words that I had never said before and they were confusing me,” Rhys explained.
“At the same time, it was painfully familiar, and I happened to do it. It was all unreal.”
"And then you say, 'I can't do the voice of Harrison Ford!'"
Reece was asked if he had ever spoken to Ford about taking on the role.
“No.“I’m too scared,” he replied.
Talking about his Welsh idols in Hollywood, Rees noted that David Niven, whose mother was Welsh, “was always so calm, confident and poised and said the right things, even when a naked man ran after him at the Oscars.”
“I would really like to be that kind of person, to be kind and easy-going,” he said.
He also ranked Port Talbot's Richard Burton "on par with Niven" as an inspiration.
“But he was the first who was completely un-Welsh, which was amazing and inspiring,” Rees said, explaining that “un-Welsh” refers to Burton’s rise from obscurity to fame and his triumphant march through Hollywood.
"For me it was like, 'Wow, we're allowed to be like this.'"
The Emmy winner also said on the podcast that winning an Oscar at the “next level” still “excites me.”
Other Welsh actors also appear in the project, including Rhys Ifans as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Princess Leia and Osian Morgan as Luke Skywalker.
Star Wars veteran Mark Lewis Jones, who played Captain Moden Canady in Episode 8 of The Last Jedi, will reprise his role as Darth Vader.
The Welsh Government said the £100,000 funding for the project to support the creative sector would “create jobs and grow our economy.”
However, Janet Finch-Saunders, the Welsh Conservative MP for Bangor-Conwy-Mon, said the Senedd should focus first on improving the healthcare system in Wales.
“Of course we should celebrate and promote the Welsh language, and I welcome efforts to make it accessible to audiences around the world,” Finch-Saunders said.
“While patients across North Wales are forced to endure unacceptably long waiting lists for treatment, a corridor-based healthcare system continues to worsen the situation in our hospitals, and families are losing loved ones while waiting for care, the Welsh Government's priorities seem completely out of touch.”
The Welsh Government responded: “By joining forces with one of the world's biggest film franchises of all time, we are promoting Wales, our language and culture both at home and abroad.”
“This has also contributed to the development of Welsh talent,” the company added.
“We are committed to supporting our creative industries and creating jobs, as well as improving the NHS and reducing waiting times.”