The marketing campaign for “Solo: A Star Wars Story” has begun!
While Star Wars fans will have to be content for a two-year gap between last year’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and the yet-untitled “Episode IX”, fan favourite Han Solo is getting his very own movie this year.
Out of all the new “Star Wars” films by Lucasfilm, this particular prequel was met with the most skepticism. Many hardcore fans found it hard to imagine anyone other than Harrison Ford playing the role of Han. It didn’t help that original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were fired and replaced with Ron Howard.
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” will venture into Han Solo’s life in the years leading up to his fateful encounter with Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in a Mos Eisley cantina. Thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we now have our first look at a couple of new images and what they could mean. Here’s what we know about the spin-off’s plot details:
1. Young Han’s mindset
When Han Solo first appeared in “A New Hope”, he was a selfish cynic who only looked out for his best interest. But he showed that he had a heart when he decided to save Luke Skywalker at the last minute during the Battle of Yavin. It appears that the young Han will be similar to the soft-hearted man we saw towards the end of the original trilogy.
Han was already on the streets since he was 10, making him another “Star Wars” orphan that desires to find his place in the universe. Alden Ehrenreich, who plays the titular character, told EW, “I think the main thing that’s different is that the Han we meet in this film is more of an idealist. He has certain dreams that he follows, and we watch how it affects him as those dreams meet new realities – realities that are harder and more challenging than he’d expected.”
2. Han’s BFF, Chewbacca
No story of Han Solo is complete without the presence of his Wookiee buddy, Chewbacca. In this prequel, we’ll not only get to see them in their early adventures but also how the duo became so loyal towards each other.
“To me, this is a love story between Han and Chewie. Their relationship has always been my favourite part of the saga, and the fact that only Han understands what Chewie is saying, I find a very funny possibility for comedy,” said Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote the script with his son, Jon.
3. Qi’ra: the femme fatale
Han may be a loner but that doesn’t mean he has been completely isolated. When “Solo” begins, his longest acquaintance will be Qi’Ra (played by “Game of Thrones” actress Emilia Clarke). This galactic noir mystery woman is described as “an enigma” and “a very important person” in Han’s life. The pair grew up together and became “partners in crime”. There’s also a romantic element to their relationship.
4. Lando Calrissian
Lando Calrissian was first introduced as a mysterious figure from Han’s past in “The Empire Strikes Back”. “By the time we meet him in ‘Empire Strikes Back’, he owns the city already. So, I wanted to show the person he was before that was even possible. Like, I don’t even know if he thought that was possible at the time,” shared Donald Glover.
The biggest difference between Lando and Han is the fact that Lando prefers rules and knows how to manipulate them to his advantage. Han, on the other hand, often tries get away by breaking them.
In the scene above, Lando is playing cards with his two-headed alien friend. “Yeah, we are playing a game of sabacc,” the actor confirmed. If you remember, that’s the same game that Han played to win the Falcon from his old frenemy.
5. Han’s mentor
Another fresh face that will be introduced in “Solo” is Tobias Beckett (played by Woody Harrelson). For a guy who didn’t grew up with a father, Tobias Beckett becomes a father figure and mentor to Han. The older man is a criminal hoping to rise among the ranks in the underworld by pulling off a risky heist.
“He’s a powerful criminal, but a free agent. Tobias Beckett really shapes Han more than anybody, as Han comes to believe that in a lawless time, he needs a moral code,” director Ron Howard explained.
6. Double trouble
Speaking of a heist, Han Solo and Chewbacca are seemingly pulling off something dangerous. The question is, what are they stealing on the machine known as “the Conveyex”? Fun fact: the Aurebesh writing in red means “Hitch Joint”.
7. The Millennium Falcon
Does the Falcon look different? “I wonder what that could be? You’ll have to see. The Falcon is a character in the movie, without a doubt. That machine is a defining factor in Han’s future. Every aspect of this movie moves, shifts, and transforms in very interesting and yet plausible ways,” teased Ron Howard.
8. Star War’s first female droid
R2-D2, C-3PO, BB-8, and K-2SO are just some of the names that come to mind when we think of iconic characters. Unsurprisingly, “Solo” is also hoping to add another scene-stealing droid.
Enter L3-37. Played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge via motion-capture, this mechanical character is the franchise’s first principal female droid. According to EW, she’s more human – meaning she’ll probably be more emotional and provide plenty of comedic relief.
While we wait for more details to be unveiled, enjoy the trailers below:
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” debuts 25th May 2018.
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Screen Rant.
