14 DAY TRIAL // “Star Wars” fans knew or suspected or hoped that this would happen, and it seems that Disney was on the same wavelength as them: Han Solo, the iconic character played by Harrison Ford, is getting his very own spinoff prequel in 2018.
Disney has already picked out the directors for it, but it’s not saying much on what fans should expect when it arrives in theaters. For the time being, the mere thought that Han Solo is coming back should be enough though.
Disney makes major announcement: Han Solo is back
In a statement on the official Star Wars website, Disney introduces the directing duo for this new movie, which will open on May 25, 2018: Chris Miller and Phil Lord. If the names ring a bell, it’s because they recently helmed “The Lego Movie,” but also “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and both new “Jump Street” movies.
They’re very in demand, mostly because they’re talented and open-minded. Their joint statement on their new project (and a very cheeky tweet you will find below) is proof of that.
“This is the first film we’ve worked on that seems like a good idea to begin with,” they say. “We promise to take risks, to give the audience a fresh experience, and we pledge ourselves to be faithful stewards of these characters who mean so much to us. This is a dream come true for us. And not the kind of dream where you’re late for work and all your clothes are made of pudding, but the kind of dream where you get to make a film with some of the greatest characters ever, in a film franchise you’ve loved since before you can remember having dreams at all.”
The new film, which will tell the story of a young Han Solo from before the moment he met Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, will be based off a script by Lawrence and Jon Kasdan. It will be an origin story, explaining how Han Solo became the thief and rascal he was in the original movies.
No word yet if Ford will be making at least a cameo, just like there’s no word yet on who might play such a famous and terribly charismatic character.
Time to get excited: 4 “Star Wars” movies in 3 years
When Disney acquired the “Star Wars” franchise from LucasFilm, word online had it that it did so with plans to release one movie every year after the first installment, and ultimately build around the original 6 movies to expand that universe.
It turns out that this was true: with this “Han Solo Anthology Film” (a generic title, for now), we’ll be getting 4 “Star Wars” movies in 3 years, and that’s nothing short of amazing news for the fans.
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” drops on December 18, 2015 and will reboot the franchise with help from director J.J. Abrams. On December 16, 2016, “Rogue One” arrives, from director Gareth Edwards, and it’s the first film in the anthology series.
“Episode VIII,” from director Rian Johnson will be out on May 26, 2017, followed by the Han Solo prequel.
To make this even better, Disney is believed to also be working out the details for a Boba Fett spinoff and “Episode IX.” So yes, today is a good day to be a “Star Wars” fan.