A sequel for Solo: A Star Wars Story could still happen, director Ron Howard says. Following the success of Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One, Disney and Lucasfilm moved forward with their second anthology movie that would give Han Solo a definitive backstory. Unfortunately, due to various reasons, the film underperformed at the box office, significantly diminishing any chances for a follow-up movie happening.
Alden Ehrenreich played the young version of the iconic Star Wars smuggler. Joining him in Solo was Donald Glover as young Lando, Emilia Clarke as Qi’Ra, Woody Harrelson as Tobias Beckett, and Paul Bettany as Dryden Vos. Disney initially tapped directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller to helm the project with filming starting by February 2017. This was why the public was surprised when Lucasfilm announced that the directing duo was exiting the project due to creative differences with just about three weeks left of production in June of the same year. This paved the way for Howard to retool the film by reshooting about 70% of the movie.
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A Solo 2 may not be a project that Lucasfilm is keen on tackling now, considering the tumultuous production and underwhelming box office. Still, there’s a genuine clamor to see a sequel. Howard admits there are no plans for a follow-up right now. During a Lights, Camera, Barstool (via Star Wars News Net), the director concedes it’s not in the works. However, the public’s continued interest in the movie’s characters could ultimately lead to them coming back on the screen. Ron Howard’s full comment below:
No rumblings, though, and this is not a spoiler or anything, but I think there is interest in those characters. I think there’s interest in the gangster world somewhere down the line. But I can assure you there is nothing being developed right now for a movie or Disney Plus. But, one great thing is there has been a lot of affection shown for Solo, and so of course that keeps boding well for them to eventually turn it around.”
Despite Solo’s chaotic production, the film turned out to be decent. It’s not groundbreaking, but Howard and the cast did a good job considering the circumstances. The disappointing box office can’t be pinned on the film’s quality alone. Disney also picked on a risky release schedule — with the project rolling out just a few weeks after Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War. Finally, it’s also worth noting that moving forward with a Han Solo prequel at that time was already a questionable decision. Harrison Ford’s older iteration had just been killed on screen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and frankly, there wasn’t any real interest in seeing other versions of the character except his.
It’s worth noting that a young Lando Calrissian Disney+ series was rumored to be in development, which is exciting since there was barely any focus on him in Solo: A Star Wars Story. No concrete reporting on the matter has yet to emerge since speculation began. Still, considering what they’re able to do with The Mandalorian, coupled with Lando’s colorful adventures, it’s difficult to argue that seeing the charismatic character in a series isn’t enticing.
Source: Lights, Camera, Barstool (via Star Wars News Net)
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