The Star Wars universe is growing. Today, Disney made official a second Star Wars “Anthology Series” film that will focus on the early days of smuggler-turned-hero Han Solo. “The story focuses on how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley,” reads the press release. I guess that puts the kibosh on Harrison Ford reprising his iconic character in this untitled prequel spinoff.
Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, the witty and wickedly funny directors behind The LEGO Movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and 21 Jump Street, and TV’s The Last Man on Earth are locked in to direct the Han Solo feature. Lawrence Kasdan and his son Jon are penning the script together; the elder Kasdan is a Star Wars veteran having co-written the screenplays for The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and the upcoming The Force Awakens. And of course, Lucasfilm mainstay Kathleen Kennedy is producing.
“This is the first film we’ve worked on that seems like a good idea to begin with,” said Miller and Lord in a statement. “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.”
“We’re so excited to be working with Chris and Phil, who will bring a fresh new dimension to the Star Wars universe,” added the Kasdans. “They’re two of the smartest, funniest and most original filmmakers around, and the ideal choice to tell the story of Han Solo, one of the coolest characters in the galaxy.”
Kennedy also shared enthusiasm for working with the now-prolific directors. “It’s not just any filmmaker who can tell the story of such a beloved icon like Han Solo, and I’m excited to say we’ve found the perfect team to handle the task. Larry and Jon know all there is to know about the character, and Chris and Phil will bring their wit, style, energy and heart to tell Han’s story.”
The Han Solo adventure sets its sights on a May 25, 2018 release. But first there’s J.J. Abrams’ The Force Awakens out this December 18, Gareth Edwards’ Anthology entry Rogue One out December 16, 2016, and Rian Johnson’s Episode VIII out May 26, 2017.
[Via Star Wars]