Editorial: A Skeptic’s Case for the Han Solo Film

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A Han Solo movie is entirely unnecessary. This has been my opinion on this film since it was announced that the second “Star Wars Story” would be a film about a young Han Solo.  That opinion has not changed.  And, judging from the poll we ran earlier this week, a significant portion of Star Wars fans agree with that sentiment.  84% of respondents showed some level of trepidation and 41% thought it would be best not to do the movie at all.  These numbers are very telling as to how protective we Star Wars fans of these iconic characters.

 

 

Nothing about Han Solo’s character requires additional information about his life before he met Luke in that Cantina. He was sprung from Mos Eisley a fully formed scoundrel, a dynamic character, whose many hints of a backstory were more than enough to give him the required depth. But, not needing additional information about Solo, does not necessarily mean his film will be without any value. There are plenty of things in life we don’t need that are still worth having.

 

For me this all comes down to a basic question of risk vs. reward. What do we have to lose by existing in a world where there is a Han Solo film, and what do we have to gain. First though, we must come to terms with why this movie exists. Putting aside any comments about fan demand or Lucas’s ideas (this is not to discount these as reasons, I just think they are secondary to the real reason this film exists), there is really only one primary reason that the second film outside of the main Star Wars saga will be about Han Solo. That reason is marketing, pure and simple.

 

Decisions being made based on their appeal to mass audiences isn’t inherently stifling to creativity though. All Hollywood films are made with certain criteria in mind to make them the most profitable. We accept these things as a necessary evil and hope that the filmmakers can incorporate them in a way that is seamless and enjoyable to the audience. We accept the next Bond film will have 007 slipping into a BMW or Aston Martin with the camera perfectly placed to capture that logo as he skids to a halt. Product placement means money for the studio. We accept that the next Fast and/or Furious movie will have a completely unnecessary montage at a drag race of ladies in very little clothing grinding against flashy cars. Sex sells. And we accept that the next Star Wars movie will incorporate new ship designs and droids so that new toys can be packaged, prepped, and priced in time for the holiday season. Merchandising is an integral part of modern blockbuster revenue.

 

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Forcing recognizable characters or events into this new experiment of standalone Star Wars films is no different. We are being asked to accept films centered around the most well-known aspects of the galaxy far, far, away in order ensure the success of these films.  These first films need be sure to appeal to more than just fans.  And no Star Wars character has more mass appeal than Han Solo.  In the case of Rogue One, it feels less offensive because it is an event that could be spoiled by elaboration rather than a character. But there are only so many iconic Star Wars events with untold backstories to be explored.

 

So, what are the risks of a Han Solo film? There are some, but I don’t really think they are of that much impact to the greater enjoyment of the other films. I honestly think the biggest risk of this film is to poor Alden Ehrenrich. An up and coming actor with a short but highly regarded resume, who is walking head on into a hurricane of Hayden Christensen proportions. He has the most to lose here, as his role in this movie could just as easily derail his career as make him a star. But what about the fans? What do we really have to lose?

 

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Photo by Collider

 

If this film is bad, it can be ignored. Unless you are so devoted to the new canon that you are one who consumes every aspect of Star Wars and commits to your brain as gospel, you don’t have to treat this film as an equal to the others. Yes, you can say, “but its canon, so that means the story of Han Solo will be etched in stone”. But, in this case, most who are against the film’s existence didn’t want that story told at all, so it isn’t like we are hoping for a better, new, Han Solo movie down the road.  If ittreats Solo with disrespect, or ruins any backstory, it can easily be disregarded alongside Legends EU.

 

I do have fears though. I fear that the film will be tempted to the easy path. I fear that this will play as an origin for every throw away statement about Solo’s past in the original trilogy. We’ll see the Kessel Run, Chewbacca’s life-debt, Han winning the falcon from Lando, and ending with him dropping a Hutt shipment at the first sign of an imperial boarding party and being forced to flee form the underground scoundrel community. This would be a poor choice for the film in my opinion, but you can already see how that movie basically writes itself. I’m sure we will see some of this, I just hope the Kasdans use it sparingly and focus on a unique story that isn’t just a greatest hits of Solo’s past.

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But even in a worst case scenario where the movie does play as an expensive fan fiction origin story, what harm is there really? I am not the biggest fan of Hayden Christensen’s performance in the prequel trilogy. I am no prequel hater, I watch and enjoy them regularly, but I think Christensen was pretty awful as the future Vader. But this in no way impacts my viewing of Vader in the original trilogy. I don’t sit there now, thinking about what a waste of a character he is because I am picturing Anakin under the armor. The different eras, different styles, and most importantly different actors separate the films in my mind. They are all star wars, but they are separate. This applies to the good as well. I intellectually understand that Ewan McGregor and Alec Guinness play the same character. But when watching A New Hope, I am not constantly thinking of Obi-Wan’s adventures on Kamino. They are too different to infect each other during a viewing.

 

In that regard, the recasting of Han Solo is almost a blessing. It removes a lot of the risk, as we do not need to incorporate it into our own personal canon if we chose not to. It will be different looking and different feeling enough to consciously ignore if we chose. The mind can compartmentalize the different parts of Star Wars when needed.  And this sort of compartmentalization is going to be needed in the coming years.  With the sheer volume of Star Wars product coming at us, there will inevitably be missteps that we will want to ignore.  But on the other hand, if this film is good, it could add some very real benefits to our appreciation of the Star Wars films.

 

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So, what benefits could there really be? I see plenty. The Han Solo film, first and foremost is an excuse to examine two aspects of the Star Wars universe that have thus far never been explored in the theatrical films. We will get to explore the underworld that has only been hinted at in films. And, we will get to do so during the apex of Imperial power.

 

We’ve seen these things before, but under much different conditions. We’ve seen hints of an underworld, but have never been able to truly explore it in an era where it would be the most ripe for stories as organized crime naturally thrives during oppressive times as an alternative societal structure for the disenfranchised.  We’ve seen the rise, fall, and aftermath of the empire, but not the empire at its peak oppressive might. Yes, there are books and TV that have explored this some. But from a theatrical standpoint, we have yet to explore the truly evil and violent nature of Imperial control over the former republic. This Solo film, presumed to be taking place somewhere in the decade before A New Hope, will have Han evading Imperial troops at a time where this no hope of resistance or rebellion. And he will be interacting with the rich and flawed characters of the underworld.

 

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It’s those side characters that I have the most hope for. Yes, I’m sure we’ll get Greedo and Boba, Chewie and Lando. But, there is an opportunity to develop this unexplored time frame with new characters who may spring forward with their own spin off content. It’s a chance to broaden the Star Wars universe and expand the opportunities for more stories outside of the main cast as we move forward in this new Disney era. The need for new stories in this era could see the next Boba Fett, Mara Jade, or Ahsoka Tano is created in this film. And new characters with new allegiances and backstories could provide a future path for new stories that further depart from the main saga and help make the Star Wars feel bigger rather than smaller.

 

Much like Rebels has done in animated form, this movie offers an opportunity to merge the prequel and original trilogy eras as well. Sitting smack dab in the middle, Solo will exist in a world where Hondo Ohnaka and Aura Sing still roam the skies but Vader and Tarkin rule them. It could present an interesting dynamic for both this and future stories after Han Solo is used to prop up this new era.

 

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But really, the biggest benefit to be found in this film is the chance to add character depth to one of the most iconic Star Wars characters ever created. Han’s character arc in the original trilogy was a dynamic, but simple one. He was a selfish man who learned to be selfless. Short but sweet. Nothing Han does in The Force Awakens violates that character arc. It is easy to discern from the film his reasoning for his actions both on and off screen. But, I think his role in the new film also opens up a door to explore motivations for his interactions with his wife and son that would add more depth and resonance to his actions in the film.

 

During his stand alone film, Han Solo will be close to the same age as Ben Solo was during his dark side to patricide swing. This leaves the solo film as a perfect opportunity to explore his similarities and differences with his son. Young Solo and Kylo Ren are both extremely selfish men. And in a way, Han’s selfishness creeping back into his life could be seen as a contributing factor in allowing his son to go so far down the path of darkness. What happened to Han Solo in his youth that may have impacted his actions and behavior later in life? Was he left on his own to deal with his own anger and selfishness and thought young Ben would be able to do the same? Was he brought back from the precipice of evil acts by an older mentor’s sacrifice?

 

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There are limitless possibilities for events in Solo’s past that could inform his decisions and action later in life. Something that if executed properly, could enhance our understanding and appreciation of his sacrifice in The Force Awakens. And, if they could make one of the greatest characters in the franchise, even better, then the film will have earned its place in the new canon.

 

In the end, it all comes down to execution. If they pull it off and make a great story that adds depth to the character and expands the universe into new eras then it is a rousing success. If the movie is bad and still feels unnecessary then it can be ignored and forgotten. Dropped down the garbage chute with Ewok Adventures, Holiday Specials, and Ziro the Hutt. I still think the film is unnecessary, but that doesn’t mean it will be damaging to the broader saga.  Hopefully after this initial wave of “Star Wars Stories” we will be able to see Lucasfilm branch out into riskier properties just as Marvel has after their initial phases. If that is to happen, I’m willing to accept the price and limited risks of an unnecessary film to get there.

 

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152 thoughts on “Editorial: A Skeptic’s Case for the Han Solo Film

  • May 20, 2016 at 8:43 pm
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    The author of this article sounds so pessimistic -_-

  • May 20, 2016 at 8:47 pm
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    Damn. I salute you for this. All very good points.

    We are so blinded by the love we have for the character that we forget that the character existed in different reality from the one that starts when Chewie walks over to him with an odd charter from an old man that just chopped off a dude’s arm in a cantina. That reality and that Han Solo – desperate but cocky, on the run from bounty hunters and the Empire alike – has a lot to be explained. It definitely could be an interesting opportunity, if, like Lucas the Creator always asked us to, we open our minds to it.

    • May 21, 2016 at 5:40 pm
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      We are so blinded by the love we have for the character that we FAILED TO SEE ALL ALONG….

      HAN.
      IS.
      PLAGUEIS!!!!! BLAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

      It’s funny Pablo Hidalgo is still attempting to make it make sense to the Plagueis ‘truther’ loonies out there – great stuff: https://twitter.com/Joseph_Plant/status/733311963023937536

  • May 20, 2016 at 8:58 pm
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    Anybody here think that we will see a young Sana Solo being casted in this film?

    • May 20, 2016 at 9:23 pm
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      would confuse mass audiences so no.. there’s no way they’d put her in it

      • May 20, 2016 at 11:17 pm
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        Not really. If she’s presented in a way that makes the movie be an original story with a new surrounding cast (except a few like Chewie), there won’t be a problem. Besides, this movie would serve as the intro to that character, not the comics).

        • May 21, 2016 at 12:16 am
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          I think he means it would logically cover his fake marriage to her, which might make things confusing for people who didn’t read the comics.

          They’d have to carefully explain it without being dismissive or making Han seem even more of a scumbag – sort of.

          • May 21, 2016 at 2:47 am
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            exactly. all of us here are hardcore fans.. it’s hard for us to think outside of our little bubble and realize these films are made for general, mass audiences. (which is why rey will be a skywalker)

        • May 21, 2016 at 2:50 am
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          i see your point but half of the reason han solo sells is because of princess leia- general audiences always associate the two together so i really doubt they’d make a film in which a completely random female comes into play.. there might be females in the film but i doubt it will feature or be centered around a different love interest for han solo.

    • May 20, 2016 at 10:49 pm
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      Is that his wife from the comics?

      • May 20, 2016 at 11:17 pm
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        Yes

        • May 21, 2016 at 4:21 am
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          Aint happening, but as I have repeatedly said, Disney also aint leaving that sweet, sweet teen girl money on the table – expect a better, smarter, cooler, tougher, sarcastic-er female co-lead that Han lusts after but can never attain.

          • May 21, 2016 at 9:24 pm
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            You seem bitter.

    • May 20, 2016 at 11:58 pm
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      I was thinking the same thing. I think it would be a cool idea.

  • May 20, 2016 at 9:12 pm
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    Well done. Nervous, but I can see the up-side. Han old buddy, don’t let me down!

  • May 20, 2016 at 9:13 pm
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    Prequel trilogy had some good points but others were really really bad. But we are still watching them every x time… And we don’t know why… Well, yes, for the Star Wars moments i supouse, to focus all the story.
    This Han Solo movie can’t be that bad. Kasdan is writing it and we can see interesting aspects in SW universe from that time period.
    We are not the same person when we are 15, 25 or 35.
    One thing is sure, Lucasfilm has learned it. There will be no bad/ridiculous/cheesy dialogs and the production/cinematography will be great.

    • May 21, 2016 at 5:03 am
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      People screamed about Kasdan being bad with TFA. So bringing in the co-writer of their fav ESB is not longer immune.

      • May 22, 2016 at 4:09 am
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        Which is proof that when some people think something is horrible it ruins their image of everyone attached and their future projects.

        Even if Lucas had made TFA instead of Abrams and Kasdan does that immediately mean TFA or whatever it would have been called would have been better than what we got? Is it possible that it could have been worse? Is TFA actually the worst Star Wars film, or is it just not what you wanted to see in a star Wars film therefore you are taking out your anger on it by writing negative crap on fan sites?

        Sometimes you have to ask these people, do they think that the filmmakers working on these movies aren’t human? Are they not allowed to make mistakes? How difficult do they think it is to write at least a decent Star Wars movie script that pleases as many people as possible? Is it possible to please everyone? What would be a perfect Star Wars movie in their eyes? Who would be attached to a perfect Star Wars movie if they could choose the people involved? What if that movie ended up not being as good as they wanted it to be, would they still think the people involved were good?

        These are the types of questions I implore fans to ask themselves and answer truthfully, if they have no answer or if the answers are not thoroughly thought out or reasonably presented then they have no place in legitimately criticizing any future Star Wars films. They should not be taken seriously.

        • May 22, 2016 at 3:03 pm
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          I’ve said for a while, it seems some would not like the movie unless they were give total creative choices on it. And they would love the movie but I promise them, there would be plenty trashing it. Where does it? It doesn’t All one can hope is to get a lot more people liking it and thinking it’s good than not. This film got pretty close 90 percent good reviews. From fans and critics alike. I really don’t think the percentage could get much higher this day and age. For every 100 that don’t like it, 10 won’t. For every million, one hundred thousand won’t like it, and so on, of course.

          • May 22, 2016 at 8:15 pm
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            Which is why I think it’s great that Lucasfilm was able to get so many people to like it considering the fan base and this day and age where everyone is a professional critic, at least on the internet.

            If a movie was able to get high ratings both critically and fan/audience alike, as well as make copious amounts of money (Which one would think should be a given, regardless of quality but still it does matter) What else is needed as proof that people overall liked the film, and it was a good movie? Does everyone on the internet have to like it too?
            How many movies have been made that got high ratings from fans, critics, general audiences, and made a ton of money and was praised by pretty much everyone on the internet?

            I don’t think there’s a single film that matches that criteria. Maybe The Godfather, but that’s it.

  • May 20, 2016 at 9:20 pm
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    “During his stand alone film, Han Solo will be close to the same age as Ben Solo was during his dark side to patricide swing.”

    I thought Ben was the same age in Awakens that Han was in A New Hope, 29? I seem to remember hearing that this Han Solo solo movie (heh) took place around 10 years earlier, which would make Han 20-ish in this movie.

    I’m hoping this is the story of the Kessel run where Han freed Chewie and a handful of other wookiees from enslavement.

    • May 20, 2016 at 9:27 pm
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      I always assumed Han was in his mid-late 30’s just because that was Ford’s age at the time the film was made. Which would put him in his mid to late 20’s in the new film. Not sure if there is anything canonical that disputes that though.

      • May 20, 2016 at 10:11 pm
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        Not sure if there is a canon source for his age, might have been from legends material, can’t remember.

        I see quotes from Kathleen Kennedy last year stating Han will be late teens, early twenties in this movie. Kylo/Ben was around 29 in Force Awakens, so about 5-10 years difference I suppose.

        I’m on board for this movie though, was one of the few who was never against the idea. Personally, I have no issue in general with different actors getting chances to interpret the same characters.

        • May 20, 2016 at 11:11 pm
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          The age for years that he was 29 in ANH (Ford was 34 during filming), 32 in ESB, and 33 in ROTJ. Kylo Ren was 29 in TFA. But Pablo Hidalgo said those ages are no longer firm. But I’d say they are not far off, of course. He’s supposed to be 10 years younger in the Solo film. So early 20s anyway, even though the actor will be 27 when they start filming.

      • May 21, 2016 at 6:08 am
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        29 years old. He’s 63 in TFA so it makes sense. People tended to mature faster in those days, I’m assuming due to the shorter lifespan.

        Ford was about 40 when he started playing Indy, So he aged very well in the 80’s/90’s before old age finally caught up with him.

  • May 20, 2016 at 9:42 pm
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    Nail on the head. I’m unsure about this movie but with the talent on board I’m willing to give it a shot.

  • May 20, 2016 at 9:48 pm
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    Thank you, Max. I know I’ve been a bit extreme in the opposite direction, with the opinion that this movie is worth looking forward to (a bit TOO extreme, I’m sorry I called you all whiny purists). It just hurts me that a project with unsure potential is being instantly shredded by fans without so much as a “maybe it can possibly be good by chance”.

  • May 20, 2016 at 10:18 pm
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    I was at zero percent interest in this movie before this post. Now I’m somewhere around a five. Well-reasoned. Good on you.

  • May 20, 2016 at 10:49 pm
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    “I fear that the film will be tempted to the easy path. I fear that this will play as an origin for every throw away statement about Solo’s past in the original trilogy.”
    .
    This. A million, billion, kajillion times this. I worry, particularly with the recent comment about showing the audience how Han gets to be the guy we meet in the cantina, that this is EXACTLY the road they’re going down. It seems every time in SW that the powers that be decide to mine some unseen territory for product, we get nothing but a rehash of throwaway lines of dialogue stretched to the narrative breaking point, woven together in a series of utterly implausible coincidences which do nothing but make the galaxy feel smaller. This isn’t expanding on the character, it isn’t storytelling, it’s cynical, cash-driven fan service. Please, JUST SHOW ME SOMETHING NEW. There is good talent attached to this thing, but so, SO many ways to fail. Han is the guy we all wanted to be – I just don’t want to see them screw that character up on film.

    • May 20, 2016 at 11:08 pm
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      It’s been cash driven fan service since Star Wars was actually successful in 1977. If ANH had not made a ton of money, there would have never been an ESB.

      • May 21, 2016 at 12:13 am
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        Well, ESB went over time and over budget – but I guess you’re right because George Lucas was so mad over it he never wanted to work with Kurtz ever again.

        • May 22, 2016 at 3:55 am
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          Which is funny because George thinks ESB is one of the worst Star Wars movies, while a majority of the fans think it’s one of the strongest.

          I think Gary Kurtz knew more about what fans liked and what made Star Wars popular more than Lucas did. It just seems like Lucas just wanted to make movies the way he wanted to and he was okay with that. He didn’t really ever care that much about what the fans thought.

          Which if you think about it, I guess that’s the only thing you can really do as a person in his place, since you can never please everyone, might as well just make the movies you want to show to audiences and hope that they like them too.

      • May 21, 2016 at 4:19 am
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        With the cavEAT that you had A guy running the SHOW who understood storytelling, mythology, AND history to inform THE whole venture.

        • May 21, 2016 at 5:01 am
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          Fan service was originally is a woman drawn in sexy clothes anime.

          • May 21, 2016 at 5:43 pm
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            Exactly – much as I love panty-shots (and more) in Go Nagai stuff…

      • May 21, 2016 at 2:25 pm
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        Actually even after the success of ANH, nobody wanted to produce the sequel because sequels generally tanked at the box office. Lucas made the movie with his own money and could have lost everything he made with ANH. If he was only about money, he would have never done that. It worked and he made a fortune but don’t accuse him of being a greedy bastard because he is the opposite.

        • May 21, 2016 at 5:02 pm
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          Never accused him of anything.

        • May 26, 2016 at 2:45 am
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          Uh, that never happened, Beavis, and that’s not why Lucas self-financed. Not like, even CLOSE. Fox was DESPERATE to get their hands on more SW, the public was clamoring for more SW, but Lucas wanted to never, ever have to be beholden to a studio creatively again, nor to have Fox get a shot to renegotiate for merchandise rights. Getting Fox’s fingers out of the pie meant he had to put up all of the cash himself. The end.

          • May 26, 2016 at 1:14 pm
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            Then why didn’t he find anybody other than the studios to finance his movies? Granted that the studios would probably have gone the “JJ Abrams” route to the sewers.

        • May 31, 2016 at 10:59 pm
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          ROTJ with the ewoks and the prequels proved the exact opposite. The PT was made for the sole reason of merchandising video games and toys and other crap like that.

          • May 31, 2016 at 11:30 pm
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            Lucas was a billionaire, he doesn’t need to sell toy figurines. He won’t live long enough to spend his fortune, that’s why he’s giving to charity. He’s currently building a $500 million museum, museums don’t make money, it’s not a casino. If he was really greedy, he would have never ceased making rushed and stupid Star Wars movies like Kathleen Kennedy is doing right now.

          • June 1, 2016 at 11:16 am
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            Now thats very naive to say the least. Lucas is business man first and filmmaker second ever since ANH (just compare TPM to his first movie, THX 1138 a pure art movie). Do you really think the ewoks served artistic/story reasons? Dont make me laugh, the sole cause of putting teddy bears into a SW movie was because of the possibility of future cartoons/color books and crap like that (which they did, Ewoks lasted 2 seasons in 85-87). Just rewatch the prequels. Everything there serves as grounds for merchandise (just look at how many dresses and hair styles Padmé have for women to be able to look at something in that borefest trilogy). Why do you think they’ve made Anakin as a kid in TPM? Why the childish tone, Jar-jar, the fart/poop jokes? Why did they cast Samuel Jackson to play the role of a jedi on sleeping pills? And so on…
            Just look at how incredibly unashamed was the milking of the OT with the ,,special editions”…
            If Lucas was never greedy, the prequels and ROTJ would not’ve been the same as they were. Eventually, Lucas was more greedy than the ,,evil” corporation, Disney.
            If Lucas is such a great filmmaker, why is he milking Star Wars since 1980? Why hasnt he made anything else?

          • June 1, 2016 at 3:18 pm
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            “Lucas is business man first and filmmaker second”
            No, do you research , Lucas is the opposite, he’s an independent filmmaker who built an empire by accident. That’s what he always wanted, that’s why sold Lucasfilm to make his experimental movies and fanboys stop harassing him.
            I believe he made the prequel for his son who was around the same age as Anakin, it’s his son that in vented Jar Jar’s name. Lucas did what he wanted to do, not a film that fits Hollywood standards, that’s why Hollywood always shunned him.

            “Why did they cast Samuel Jackson to play the role of a jedi on sleeping pills?”

            Not sure what you mean here. Mace was a high rank Jedi. But maybe because he is black you expected him to tap dance, run around sweating like a pig, drink with animals and talk jyve? You know like hte buffon in TFA.

          • June 1, 2016 at 4:00 pm
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            ,, Lucas is the opposite, he’s an independent filmmaker who built an empire by accident.”
            Its true. But since the succes of ANH he ceased to be a filmmaker. He is a business man since ANH. And he is a damn good business man. He milked that franchise better than anyone any franchise in Hollywood.

            ,,Not sure what you mean here. Mace was a high rank Jedi. But maybe because he is black you expected him to tap dance, run around sweating like a pig, drink with animals and talk jyve?”

            Are you drunk or just really stupid? This is 2016, you should stop with your racist prejudice. Samuel Jackson was the biggest star in the 90s, most known for playing characters who shout very loud and need great acting to play. He is fantastic actor with a proper director.
            Lucas only cast him to get a famous black guy to appeal to black people. Probably his character was written for this reason only, beacuse he did literally nothing in TPM. Its pure business, nothing else.

    • May 21, 2016 at 5:50 pm
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      I hear ya, MCP – and yet: A wee part of me selfishly wants all the dots connected. I like to think there’s a chance this really-big-flashback could turn out to share some DNA with River Phoenix as young Indiana Jones (IMO the best flashback of an iconic film character this side of DeNiro as young Vito Corleone…). It’s almost a stupid cop-out to say (but I know folks ’round these parts ain’t shy in that dept.), but after the steaming shit-paninis that were the Prequels, there’s only one direction future films can go; hell, I get more pure enjoyment sitting on a sofa w/ my 3 & 6 y/o daughters watching ‘Rebels’ as a fan of SW than I did out of any parts of Eps. I-III in the theater…

  • May 20, 2016 at 10:57 pm
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    This is my belief: If it’s going to be good, I’ll be okay with it. If it’ll be bad, hopefully by then we had Rogue One and episode VIII, so possibly if those films will be good I won’t feel that bad to ignore Han Solo spin-off. Until then, I’m skeptical about the actor…

  • May 21, 2016 at 12:23 am
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    It really can go both ways at the moment. I totally agree with everything said in the article about concerns, but also hope for all of the cool things it could lead us into. My hope is that it’s less about fan fiction and more trying to flesh out the world of star wars around him. I think we’re also overlooking that Kasdan is a big part of this too, and he’s the guy that’s been behind all but one of Han Solo’s on-screen appearances, wanting to make this movie since before Lucas was gone. I trust the writer of Han to do him justice.

  • May 21, 2016 at 1:04 am
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    Casting a SHORT actor to be Han Solo is STUPID! The Problem is Han Solo whole character stems from his physical attributes. SHORT people have NO CLUE on being TALL!

    • May 21, 2016 at 1:19 am
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      Capitalizing random words doesn’t make your comment any less illegible.

      • May 21, 2016 at 1:20 am
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        In fact, it has the opposite effect.

      • May 21, 2016 at 4:16 am
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        Sure IT does! HOW dare YOU insinuate HE/SHE seeks legibility ANYways?!

        • May 21, 2016 at 6:05 am
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          HAN solo DIES did YOU KNOW LOL at SWAG

        • May 21, 2016 at 8:17 am
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          I’m SORRY i didn’t KNOW that that WAS the purPosE!

      • May 21, 2016 at 5:40 am
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        Are you unable to understand capitalized words are the only way to show large emotions in print?

    • May 21, 2016 at 12:06 pm
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      I can understand people are not prepeared to see the past characteristics of Han Solo, the character, because with his acts in OT we know how is he or how he was.
      But complainig about physical aspects i think is absurd when we are talking about a 10-12 younger Solo, and in his growing age. FGS Some people grow in their 15s, others in their 20’s, others in 25. But Complaining for a few inches… Jesus…

      • May 21, 2016 at 6:51 pm
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        You obviously know nothing about body mechanics and how it influences EVERYTHING about you! You have not learned to duck your head when entering a room how you move your body so that you can take full advantage of your abilities. You think a SHORT person would be able to sprawl and shoot?

  • May 21, 2016 at 2:03 am
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    Han Solo’s past is an enigma. Why explain it at all? He is a mystery and needs to REMAIN that way! There is absolutely NO NEED for a Han Solo movie. Harrison Ford OWNS the character. His looks alone are the most important part of Han Solo. His looks translate into certain mannerisms that Harrison Ford does himself.

    • May 21, 2016 at 3:01 am
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      why the need for Han’s past to stay a mystery?

      • May 21, 2016 at 3:05 am
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        It leaves more to the imagination. Like, what was he like as a kid? What was it like when he first saved Chewbacca? was he reluctant to save him?

        I do not need someone feeding me every single detail about him. I like to imagine what he was like… and he ALWAYS shot first.

    • May 21, 2016 at 6:06 am
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      They explained it well in AC Crispin’s book trilogy which they will totally ignore in this film.

  • May 21, 2016 at 3:33 am
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    If the movie is as good as the Han Solo Trilogy novels, we’re in for a treat.

    • May 21, 2016 at 6:05 am
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      It will have as much to do with them as TFA did with the Thrawn trilogy. Disney doesn’t give a shit about the EU pre-2013.

      • May 21, 2016 at 5:37 pm
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        Ranting now….that’s been my problem with the mouse house. It took years and years for those stories to evolve and build. Disney comes and wipes out years of work and thinks they can rewrite it all better in 3 years. The vast majority of the new books have been awful. Of corse Claudia’s books and 2 others have been the exception.

        They shit on a huge part of their aging fanbase, to reboot, rehash and make a money grab out of their purchase. They wiped all 6 films major plot points with TFA.

        7 was a flash in the pan. Anything they’d put out would’ve made the same money. The Solo film will make a buck but when the fans don’t want it to start with….that’s a major problem.

        I’ll stop for now as it’s useless venting.

        • May 21, 2016 at 5:45 pm
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          They fail because they think SW is Marvel set in space, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they reboot their own continuity by that logic and make Luke and Han siblings in the OT reboot. Hope they at least wait till the cast us dead before trying that.

    • May 21, 2016 at 6:41 pm
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      I can hear you screaming.

      • May 21, 2016 at 9:01 pm
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        It’s as if millions of fan voices cried out in terror…and then just kinda kept on screaming in horror.

        • May 21, 2016 at 9:28 pm
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          I want to scream at that stupid fucking idiot that came up with that stupid fucking idea.

  • May 21, 2016 at 5:18 am
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    My personal feelings:
    I will go to see it. I hope that I will enjoy it. But it’s not what I want from an Anthology film. I want to see something like Rogue One: something that explores an untold story that isn’t the backstory of an existing character. I don’t want a Han Solo film. I don’t want a Boba Fett film. Can both be good? If done right, hell yeah. And I will be in the theater when those come out. But I want to expand our knowledge about that galaxy far, far away.
    Also, side note: I hope that that Photoshop doesn’t become a reality with the new actor wearing the classic ANH outfit. Do what TFA did and have something familiar, yet different with Han’s outfit.

  • May 21, 2016 at 5:43 am
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    You make a compelling case; I hadn’t even thought about the tyranny-based organized crime underworld… I suddenly can’t wait to see this movie.

  • May 21, 2016 at 6:01 am
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    Here’s the thing……this is the FIRST film in Star Wars history where most fans are indifferent about it. That is huge right there.

    Yes, The PT today is not as beloved as the OT but fans always wanted it in the beginning at least and stuck around for II and III just to see Vader. There were some doubters about the ST too but as soon as the original cast were confirmed, Most every fan was at least morbidly curious in seeing it hence why it’s the second highest grossing film of all-time.

    Shit, Even Rogue One most have gotten on board with after seeing the trailer.
    But the majority have been against since this it was first rumored about three years ago after Disney took over.

    If you can’t get the fan base excited about a freaking SW film then something is seriously wrong here. Disney is making the same exact mistake when they thought everyone wanted a Lone Ranger remake with a white man playing Tonto.

    The ONLY reason we are getting this at all is because dumb fuck Josh Trank’s cocaine problem threw off the Boba Fett spinoff and they needed something last minute to fill for the summer of 2018. Hence another recycled Lucas idea.

    • May 21, 2016 at 6:13 am
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      AC Crispin and Brian Daley did a great job of fleshing out his teens/early 20’s in novel format back in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s but that was over the course of a trilogy. Impossible to fit all that into 2 hours or so even if they decided to base it off of those which they won’t since those books no longer exist in the continuity and Disney has repeatedly said they are doing their own thing with SW.

    • May 21, 2016 at 5:22 pm
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      Very well put!

      • May 21, 2016 at 5:49 pm
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        Thank you! They need to come out with the most amazing trailer ever made to try to reverse things and I’m not sure even that will be enough. Most people see this as the lazy cash grab it really is.

        • May 21, 2016 at 6:55 pm
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          Taking on the challenge of re-casting and making a movie good enough to do justice….is probably not lazy.

          • May 22, 2016 at 6:28 pm
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            It was still lazy when the PT did it and basing it on the most popular hero character of the OT rather than use an all-new cast like Rogue One is too.

          • May 22, 2016 at 8:29 pm
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            People (not myself) would say the PT wasn’t lazy because ring theory yadda yadda yadda

    • May 21, 2016 at 9:00 pm
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      Hadn’t thought of it in quite those terms, but you’re right – this IS the first time a SW feature is on the horizon where there is, putting it kindly, ambivalence from at least a large part of the fan-base.

      • May 22, 2016 at 6:23 pm
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        People keep telling me I am imagining the tepid reception this film has yet this is hardly a small site and the numbers posted above don’t lie. I asked the same exact questions on all the big SW and non-SW boards and got the same exact response.

        • May 22, 2016 at 8:41 pm
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          I agree with you in that regard where it seems like most fans are very ambivalent towards this Han Solo movie, since Han seems to be this ‘Holy” character that should never be touched. Which is kind of funny to me, because as soon as everyone on the internet sees a heavily photo shopped picture of Mark Hamill and Sebastian Stan next to each other, all of these people were like “Get this man a young Luke Skywalker film!” “Sebastian Stan needs to be Luke Skywalker!” I was just thinking in my head, my god! You people are bipolar! I bet you all hate the idea of the Han Solo film!

          Anyway, I realize I’m one of the very few vocal minority (On this site, since I only comment on this site and Star Wars Leaks) that actually is optimistic and looking forward to seeing a young Han Solo on screen.

          • May 23, 2016 at 1:38 pm
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            My main concern other than the looks issue is that Solo was pretty much a drug dealing, sexist, mercenary in ANH which Disney is clearly not going to want to glorify considering how easily they cave into special interest groups so they will have to castrate him like they did in Jedi or go another direction making him a creepy emo stalker which won’t line up with version first seen only 10 years later or so. He had very few scuples at the start of the OT and was not the squeaky clean family friendly role model that the house of mouse likes to promote

            It works better via novels, comics, and even TV due to having more time than two hours. Especially considering they are throwing in how he met Chewie and possibly Jabba, Boba, Lando, Maz, etc. as the PT showed, It’s hard enough to make a good film explaining the entire backstory in three let alone one film.

          • May 23, 2016 at 6:10 pm
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            Yes, that very well is true that it’s difficult to develop a backstory in one film. However, Kasdan is a huge fan of the show dont tell technique of writing. Hence why TFA didn’t explain everything, if it was just Abrams writing, we probably would have had a lot more of the scenes like “the masks don’t filter out toxins only smoke” Abrams is a fan of exposition, whike Kasdan isn’t really. Which if you’re a fan of lore building and exposition, I can see why they wouldn’t like TFA or Kasdan’s style of writing, at least with Star Wars.

            Kasdan is the one writing this Han Solo film with his son, so I’m assuming there won’t be much exposition in the film much like TFA. We already know the setting, it’s a time of civil war, the galactic empire has a firm grasp on the ex Republic worlds.
            Blah blah blah

            So a lot of the story is already there. I know what to expect, and I am fully prepared for this movie to be either really good, or not as good as I was hoping.

          • May 24, 2016 at 2:29 pm
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            The thing that concerns me about Kasdan other than being long past his glory years is that the main motivation for doing it was to work with his son kind of like how Lucas never seemed to be fully engaged in the PT but did it anyway to play with his new digital toys and get the fans of his back. I think Jake is the Kasdan who will have the best ideas since he hasn’t become jaded with it all yet. Empire is as close to perfection as SW will get, I like Jedi but acknowledge it’s flaws and why some people hate it, TFA seems like he let Abrams do a lot of the work or was pushed to the side. Like Lucas, He just seems pretty sick of the Star Wars universe at this point since his scripts get weaker with each new entry.

            Judging by the directors, There will probably be lots of action comedy along the way which is okay in small doses like in the OT since Han can be pretty funny at times. With 21 Jump Street it worked since an 80’s melodrama would not fly today. I think this film could be a great modern day Spaceballs type of comedy so they wouldn’t have to worry about accuracy or continuity except it’s not and going to be canonical as well as another prequel.

          • May 24, 2016 at 9:18 pm
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            I remember people saying they didn’t like TFA because it wasn’t serious enough and it had too much comedy. I’ve always been under the impression that Star Wars has always had comedy and while it’s a space opera/fantasy film series. It’s basically a modern retelling of the Arthurian and other classic mythology stories.

            I just told them to rewatch the OT and look for all of the comedic parts and see how often there was humor placed in the film, I’m sure they were pleasantly surprised. Han Solo and the droids have played the biggest part in making the tone of the movies more humorous and light.

            Therefore, after watching 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street, and The LEGO Movie, I fully expect this movie to lean on the action comedy side, but with Star Wars flare. Even Indiana Jones has comedy but most of the comedy isn’t through dialogue, it’s how Indy gets out of situations or responds to them that makes for the most fun parts and the facial expressions hahaa

            So, we’ll see how they want to go about the Han Solo movie, but I don’t believe it will be a dark movie at all.

          • May 25, 2016 at 3:50 pm
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            A lot of the problems with TFA were the mirror in-inverse of the ones in the PT. The prequels had really imaginative designs, vehicles, and planets but it meant nothing since most were done with very bad CG that has not dated well or made no practical sense, While the ST so far has very bland production values since they made it a mantra of having everything be real looking again as well as banking off nostalgia. I-III was easy to make fun of since it took itself so seriously all the time while VII felt like one unending meta joke. It makes me appreciate the OT even more because it was completely balanced in those areas and the perfect example of everything coming together at the exact right time.

            Long as they keep away from the fart jokes of the PT and modern collequialisms of the ST, The OT was very old fashioned in it’s character based humor and the droids as Laurel/Hardy stand-in’s. The Prequels has too many sophomoric jokes aimed at the preschool crowd while TFA seemed to be aimed at modern day hipsters with it’s humor.

            I wouldn’t be really surprised if it was either and heavily marketed as such too but the plot in the Lego, Jump Street, and Meatball films are kind of secondary to the jokes which they can’t really do here.

            I doubt it will be dark eithe but there should still be an element of darkness if Fett, Jabba, and Lando are around. He was basically a drug smuggler before IV out for himself working with cut throats and cartels. They should aim for the Kanjiklub scene in TFA for the right tone minus the Men In Black monsters.

          • May 26, 2016 at 2:30 am
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            BAM! Just finished writing my response above before I read yours. Yes, that’s one of the things that’s so amazing about what Lucas and Kersh were able to pull off (Marquand – who knows how much was him and how much was Lucas, but it doesn’t quite have the same pep that SW or Empire have) – the tone in the OT is light and fun, but never devolves into self-parody, which lets the audience care about the stakes, nor stumbles around being oppressive, dour and self-important so you can still enjoy the adventure.

          • May 26, 2016 at 4:44 pm
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            I usually like you’re comments when I’m on the go here since if you get here before me, 9/10 you say almost exactly what I was thinking and I have nothing more to add.

            Tone really is the difference between a good film and a great film. There’s a definite shift by Jedi which they haven’t gotten quite right since 1980. Probably because both were products of 70’s film making where story and character came first.

          • May 27, 2016 at 5:20 am
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            Funny, because TUD and I almost always agree on stuff too, 9/10 times. Weird how there are people on these boards that seem to be clones in regards to our thoughts and opinions on Star Wars.

          • May 27, 2016 at 2:08 pm
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            That’s because there are only three people on this board….me, you, and Marsha. Everyone else is a sock account,

          • May 28, 2016 at 1:16 am
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            Dang it Grant, you’re not supposed to tell anybody who might be reading these boards that… I thought… I thought we had an agreement not to tell them our little secret!

          • May 28, 2016 at 6:26 pm
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            It’s like a digital version of St. Elsewhere.

          • May 26, 2016 at 2:27 am
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            Not comedy, that’s the wrong word. SW, when it’s working, requires a light tone – it takes itself seriously enough to not be throwing stupid winks to the audience and becoming almost self-parody, but not so serious that it becomes a self-important, dour slog like, say the LotR movies, or indeed, much of the PT. That light tone is very hard to nail without tipping over into either alternative.

  • May 21, 2016 at 7:16 am
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    I wonder if Kasdan was ever considered to direct this movie. Believe he would have been the perfect fit to both write and direct. His directorial resume is more impressive than any SW movie director before him – Body Heat, The Big Chill, Silverado, The Accidental Tourist, Grand Canyon, and Wyatt Earp.

    • May 21, 2016 at 2:09 pm
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      All his movies suck and are commercial failures, what are you smoking?

      • May 21, 2016 at 3:57 pm
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        If you think Body Heat and The Big Chill suck…

        • May 21, 2016 at 9:44 pm
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          Never heard of these movies, probably because they suck, otherwise they would be famous, don’t you think?

          • May 22, 2016 at 12:47 pm
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            I do think. What about you?

          • May 22, 2016 at 1:27 pm
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            I’m asking you why aren’t these movies famous if they are good?

          • May 22, 2016 at 3:26 pm
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            ‘Good’ is very subjective. What is ‘good’ to you does not necessarily appeal the masses and what appeals the masses is not necessarily ‘good’ to you. You find satisfaction in a work of art depending on what you are looking for. Maybe Kasdan just didn’t care about making movies for the general audience and wanted to produce a more personal work. It’s very simplistic to say that all good movies are famous.

          • May 22, 2016 at 3:27 pm
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            They are famous, admired, Oscar nominated films, and cult hits as well. You are obviously too young to know anything about what you are ranting about, so you would be wise to stop throwing your mouth about things you can’t possibly understand.

          • May 22, 2016 at 8:33 pm
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            They are very famous for people who know good movies.

          • May 23, 2016 at 8:47 am
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            They are “famous”.

      • May 21, 2016 at 6:46 pm
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        Do they? Did they now?

        Critically acclaimed, multi-oscar nominated.

        You need to broaden your horizons my dear boy.

        • May 21, 2016 at 9:43 pm
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          He never won an Oscar, he took credit for writing ESB but it was actually Lucas’s work. TFA proves that this guys is a complete hack that deserves to disappear into nothingness.

          • May 21, 2016 at 10:40 pm
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            How does TFA prove Kasdan is a “hack”?

            Kasdan was brought in to complete the screenplay as Leigh Brackett sadly died of cancer before Empire was finished.

          • May 22, 2016 at 12:43 am
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            TFA proves he is a hack because whoever wrote this shit doesn’t belong to movies, TFA was a fanfiction written on the back of a enveloppe by a 13 years old girl.

            I didn’t know about Leigh Brackett but that totally makes sense because ESB can’t have been written by the hack.

            Did you know that during the writing of ESB Kasdan wanted Yoda to be sword wielding Jedi fighter instead of the one we know. It’s Lucas that explained him he was some monk, a wise creature. Unfortunately, this silly idea germinated in the head of Lucas and Yoda ends up fighting Dokku and Sidious with a lightsaber.

            Proof here : https://starwarsalways.wordpress.com/2015/05/22/george-lucas-and-kathleen-kennedy-discuss-the-prequel-trilogy/

          • May 26, 2016 at 2:17 am
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            Not just before it was finished, before the story was really in any shape at all. Virtually nothing remains of Brackett’s draft. Lucas left her a writing credit out of respect.

      • May 22, 2016 at 8:39 pm
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        You said you never heard of them so how would you know if they suck?

  • May 21, 2016 at 12:39 pm
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    I agree this movie is a bad idea. Harrison Ford is the only Han Solo the fans want. So why not do a Han Solo film set a few years before The Force Awakens… so we can see What Han and Chewie were doing when he left Leia? This then keeps everyone happy and more importantly we get Harrison as the one true HAN SOLO!
    Remember Han was one of the best things in The Force Awakens!

    • May 21, 2016 at 7:38 pm
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      That’s the thing, Star Wars fans aren’t the only ones who see Star Wars movies. As long as general audiences are appeased, they will see the movie, and Disney will make money.

  • May 21, 2016 at 12:49 pm
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    I completely agree with everything stated, I don’t see why people can’t see it this way too. Even the whole risk and reward as well as the whole if you end up hating it then just ignore it.
    Sure it might be unnecessary but at least give it a chance people. Don’t just write it off because you think it’s a completely bad idea.

    • May 22, 2016 at 10:51 am
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      If I am mistaken I will write about that too. On the meanwhile they ask about my expectations and I don’t have any good ones. Hope to be wrong.

  • May 21, 2016 at 2:04 pm
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    I never liked Han Solo, I don’t hate him either but he is insignificant in the story. Who would think of a C3PO or R2 standalone movie? It would be silly, and this one is as much silly. Han Solo was a jerk, a space cowboy caricature, of course he becomes a good guy but he’s just a sidekick and brings diversity to the Star Wars bestiary. But Star Wars is about mythology, the Force, good and evil, the Jedi… The idea of this movie only proves how short-sighted Kathleen Kennedy’s team is, these morons don’t understand Star Wars. This movie will be shit, written by Kasdan, that hack who wrote Force Awakens, LOL, what a shame at his age. I will laugh at this movie.

    • May 21, 2016 at 3:22 pm
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      Saves Luke.
      Gets the girl.
      Takes down Endor shield.
      Father to Kylo Ren.

      • May 21, 2016 at 3:50 pm
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        I’m not saying he’s useless in the movie, he’s still disposable. Of course Lucas is not a retard like JJ Abrams, his sidekicks are allowed to help the main lead and have decisive achievements. Unlike TFA where everyone is a complete loser next to the new girl. Btw you can remove the “father to Kylo Ren”, it’s not canon and I don’t see how thsi would be any sort of positive thing in his CV.

        • May 21, 2016 at 3:56 pm
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          It is canon…I don’t know why you think it is not.

          Poe Dameron was hardly useless…

          • May 21, 2016 at 9:47 pm
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            Force Awakens is not canon, that is an insult for the original movies to say that this “thing” belongs to the Star Wars timeline. At best, it belongs to a Star Trek- Avengers, and I’m being generous, and serious.

          • May 22, 2016 at 3:42 am
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            Correction: The Force Awakens is not canon to you, but it is canon to Lucafilm and everybody else who enjoys it.

          • May 22, 2016 at 8:26 pm
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            Don’t argue with him. Just state it.

            TFA is canon.

          • May 22, 2016 at 5:56 am
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            So are you a professional idiot or are you maintaining your amateur status for the olympics?

          • May 22, 2016 at 8:33 pm
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            haha, no you are not.

          • May 27, 2016 at 8:48 pm
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            It’s canon. You not liking the movie does not strip it of its canonical status. You can eject it from your “personal canon” or whatever that nonsense means, but its canon. Whoever holds the intellectual property rights to the franchise determines canon. Not you. Not me. Not some kid in Russia. You can dig your heels in, cross your arms, and scream this to the wind, but that doesn’t change a single thing.

          • May 31, 2016 at 11:08 pm
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            If you replace Force Awakens with the prequels in that sentece you got it right.

          • May 31, 2016 at 11:34 pm
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            I never liked the prequels, nevertheless they are million times better than the JJ Abrams abomination. No matter how much the prequels failed, they are still Star Wars movies and you can see the effort and dedication of the director. TFA is complete garbage made by the laziest and most ignorant dude at Hollywood

          • June 1, 2016 at 10:39 am
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            Completly disagree. I think in the decade which has passed since the prequels people (like you) forgot how much damage the prequels actually did to the saga. The degradation of the force with the midichlorians, the complete and utter misrepresentation of the jedi (idiots who do nothing but sitting in circles all day bragging about how clouded they are), the horrible PS2 quality cgi to replace the incredible visual effects they’ve made in the 70s. The lack of any real character, and so on. I could write essays about this, but I dont intend to do it (again). To me the prequels were never Star Wars and never will be. The Gendy Tartakovsky 2 hour longs cartoon is way more SW than the prequels ever were. Nonetheless, TFA was infinite times better than the crap Lucas gave us in 99-2005. Once you get over your hate on Disney you will see it yourself.

        • May 21, 2016 at 6:54 pm
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          Um…what?

    • May 21, 2016 at 4:22 pm
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      Star Wars has mythology in it but it is hardly only about Mythology. To say that Star Wars is only about the force, jedi and sith makes you even more shortsighted than you believe Kathleen Kennedy to be.

    • May 22, 2016 at 1:54 am
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      Couldn’t agree more, that’s exactly what I thought

    • May 22, 2016 at 6:01 am
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      You’re trollin’ a little hard there aren’t ya slick? Put your moms computer down and go eat your kraft dinner and let the grown ups talk.

  • May 21, 2016 at 2:44 pm
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    boo hoo, go sit in the corner and stick your fingers in your ears and close your eyes

  • May 21, 2016 at 5:38 pm
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    I bet money they’re going to make Boba and Han best friends so his turn on him can be more “tragic.”

    • May 21, 2016 at 5:43 pm
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      Of course they’ll do something that stupid.

  • May 22, 2016 at 2:09 am
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    I think it will be OK , and I think it’s all we NEED to be said or read about it ( that is, that it might be OK – or not, whatever)

  • May 22, 2016 at 3:46 am
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    Alden Ehrenreich’s talent is on a different level to that of Hayden Christiansens, so even if this movie were to crash and burn, he’d be ok.

    • May 23, 2016 at 12:54 am
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      Even a hugely established name like Johnny Depp had to go into some career damage control after a bomb like Lone Ranger – his stock took a hit, his price went down and Disney became a bit hesitant to greenlight movies just because he was attached. Now imagine a kid just getting started, without a strong a huge money makers on his CV. Being in a high profile bomb would potentially do some serious damage to his career.

      • May 23, 2016 at 4:51 am
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        Or would it?

        Channing Tatum seems to be Tinsel Town’s current darling. Look at the turkeys he’s survived – Jupiter Ascending, Magic Mike XXL, White House Down, G.I. Joe, The Eagle, She’s The Man …

        There’s no way a single movie would have such a devastating effect on one’s career. Hayden Christiansen has no charisma, it had nothing to do with the SW prequels.

        It’s a win-win for Ehrenreich.

  • May 22, 2016 at 5:51 am
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    Comparing a Lucas written character portrayed by a hack like HC is vastly different from a Kasdan written character portrayed by AE. It’s like comparing apples with shit

  • May 22, 2016 at 6:37 am
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    I hope it’s good, but I worry that they are just trying to turn Star Wars, in its entirety, into an agenda pushing money making machine. There definitely are elements and some people in the franchise who are helping to build Star Wars but I think KK is just using to push her agenda.

    Case in point: some of the editors, claimed in a interview earlier, that they never saw the OT. Additionally, look at some of he books that have come out. While some (Lost Stars) were really good, others like Aftermath and the Marvel Shattered Empire series seemed like they were just there to make money.

    One could watch TFA without seeing or knowing anything about Star Wars, and follow the story. To me this is just proof that they are only using the Star Wars universe for money. I like TFA, but it left me feeling disappointed overall, and I am skeptical that this Solo movie will degrade the character.

  • May 22, 2016 at 10:46 am
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    No new good stories to tell until they get back their investment. I have a lack of faith in this Solo’s movie and with Rogue one either… Going backwards in the timeline is a good way to create plot holes and to break forever the way I was used to see my favorite characters. Why does Hollywood think I need to know everything of every character I like? Part of the success of some scifi or fantasy movies comes from allowing the audience to fill some things with their own imagination… I liked 7 and the best part if it was the new characters and the story moving forwards. All the good things a Solo’s movie could bring could also be done with other characters in a different time.

  • May 22, 2016 at 5:42 pm
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    I agree with the skepticism, but I would much rather have mediocre Star Wars films to quench my thirst between the fantastic episodic films rather than having a year with no Star Wars at all. Additionally, I think Rogue One is a far better idea than an origin story for any of the characters, not to say I wouldn’t chop off my arm to see Boba on the big screen again :).

  • May 22, 2016 at 5:50 pm
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    Michael B. Jordan and Donald Glover=My top picks for young Lando.

    • May 22, 2016 at 8:20 pm
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      Isn’t there some bizzare, cultish Smith child we could recruit as Sassy Lando?

      • May 23, 2016 at 3:31 am
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        aw hail naw

  • May 22, 2016 at 7:44 pm
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    I’m not looking forward to this movie…But I look at it this way, how necessary was the Ewok films? When I was a kid I loved them. Now, they are nearly unwatchable.
    Yet, part of me really wants a 3rd ewok film “done right”.

    • May 23, 2016 at 12:13 pm
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      My 5yo son loves the Ewok movie. The first he doesn´t watch as he fears the ogre, but the second one he loves the same as A new Hope 🙂

  • May 23, 2016 at 12:18 pm
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    I´ll watch the movie eventually, but not in the cinema. And I will ignore it and exclude it from my personal canon.

  • May 24, 2016 at 4:41 am
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    I have said it before… I for one am really looking forward to this… waited 30 years to see more Millennium Falcon. A whole other chance to see tie fighters, Star Destroyers, blasters, bounty hunters… what in the world are people so up in arms about?! At worst, it will be a bad movie and we don’t have to watch it 147 times (who are we kidding… every single one of us will watch it over and over). ….best case it’s amazing and we have even more Star Wars to watch over and over. Amazing time to be a fan.

  • May 24, 2016 at 10:02 am
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    I really am excited that they are bringing Star Wars back and making more stories ect. I remember being a kid and wanting nothing else but to fly in the Falcon and explore the galaxy. I hope these movies bring the same feeling to my daughter and other kids.
    But I really hope they are doing this for all the right reasons.
    I pray they are not just trying to squeeze more money out of fan boys like the most of us and not care about the actual franchise and what Star Wars and their characters actually mean to us.

  • May 24, 2016 at 6:43 pm
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    In this article you are looking at the Solo film as a stand-alone and balancing the potential benefits and risks. But by narrowing the analysis to focus on the movie as a stand-alone, you’ve missed the biggest potential benefit of this film: Rebooting the OT cast for future films. The Han Solo movie will basically be the equivalent of the first Ironman movie in the Avengers franchise. This is where it all begins. Disney didn’t purchase Lucasfilm for billions of dollars just to make a few movies and call it a day. They’ll be making new Star Wars movies for decades and beyond. So if all goes well, Alden Ehrenrich will be playing Han Solo for the next 30 years filling in the gap between OT and TFA. THAT is the biggest benefit to be gained from a good Han Solo movie and that is what Disney is counting on to help it make a boat-load of money in the process.

  • May 26, 2016 at 6:05 pm
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    There is nothing anyone can say that will make me look forward to this movie. it is a dumb idea, and will be a learning lesson for the new owners of this franchise, and will be the end of this actor’s career. I mean you have to think to yourself…why?…why make a Han Solo movie? lol it is a horrible idea. this movie is going to be the batman vs superman of the star wars series. a joke on a higher scale than Episode 2…. they should have just made this a novel. If they want to do a damn origins story….make an origin story every star wars fan on the planet wants to see..the origin of the jedi and sith…nobody gives a shit about a Han Solo movie.

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