Matthew Rhys 'too scared' to talk to Harrison Ford about becoming Han Solo

Hollywood star Matthew Rhys has revealed he was "too scared" to talk to Harrison Ford about being the voice of Han Solo in a new Welsh language adaptation of Star Wars.

The experience of taking on the iconic role was "weird", added the 51-year-old from Cardiff, who moved to the US to pursue a career in acting.

Star Wars will be dubbed in Welsh for the first time ahead of the sci-fi classic's 50th anniversary next year, and has been praised by the First Minister.

But the Welsh Conservatives called a £100,000 contribution from the Welsh government "out of touch" when thousands of NHS patients wait for treatment.

The Welsh government said the project would "create jobs and grow our economy".

Rhys told the New York Times podcast The Interview that the Welsh language project brought up some unexpected feelings.

"What was weird is obviously, they'd had to translate all these things that we'd grown up with, knowing Star Wars," Rhys recalled.

"I was saying in Welsh things like 'pelydr cyrchu'... it's kind of like 'tractor beam'.

The Beast in Me actor who promotes his Welsh heritage around the globe now lives in New York with his wife, actress Keri Russell.

"There were words I've never used before, and I was tripping on them," Rhys explained.

"At the same time, it was this wildly familiar thing that I got to do. The whole thing was surreal.

"And then you go, I can't voice Harrison Ford!"

Rhys was asked if he ever spoke to Ford about taking on the role.

"No. I'm too scared," he replied.

In terms of his Welsh idols in Hollywood, Rhys said David Niven, whose mother was Welsh, "was always so quietly self-assured and calm and said the right thing, even when a naked person ran behind him at the Oscars".

"I just wish I could be that person, and be gracious and effortless," he said.

He also put Richard Burton from Port Talbot "on a par with Niven", in terms of being an inspiration.

"But because he was the first to be very, very un-Welsh, which was arresting and inspiring," Rhys said, explaining "un-Welsh" referred to Burton's rise from obscurity to the height of fame and taking Hollywood by storm.

"To me it was like, 'wow, we're allowed to be that'."

The Emmy Award-winner also told the podcast a "next echelon" Oscar win still had "allure to me".

Other Welsh actors involved in the project include 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 portrayed Captain Moden Canady in Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, will take on the role of Darth Vader.

The Welsh government said its £100,000 creative sector spend on the project would "create jobs and grow our economy".

But Janet Finch-Saunders, Welsh Conservative MS for Bangor Conwy Môn, said the Senedd should focus first on fixing the healthcare system in Wales.

"Of course we should celebrate and promote the Welsh language, and I welcome efforts to see it reach audiences across the world," Finch-Saunders said.

"At a time when patients across north Wales are enduring unacceptable waits for treatment, corridor care continues to blight our hospitals, and families are losing loved ones while waiting for care, the Welsh government's priorities appear 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 at home and far away".

"It also supported Welsh talent, it added.

"We are committed to supporting our creative industries and creating jobs as well as improving the NHS and bringing down waiting times."