Biggest Star Wars Flop Getting A Sequel?
In a new interview, Alden Ehrenreich says he wouldn't mind returning to the role of Han Solo.
Alden Ehrenreich says he’d be open to starring in a sequel to Solo: A Star Wars Story. The 33-year-old portrayed the iconic smuggler in the 2018 movie which focused on the character‘s origin story.
Speaking to Indie Wire, Ehrenreich said becoming Han Solo at the end of the film was incredible. “That’s the guy that’s the most fun to be. But who knows,” he said about Star Wars Solo 2.
Directed by Ron Howard, the movie served as the second Star Wars anthology film after Rogue One in 2016. The story chronicles the early adventures of the iconic smuggler who, along with Chewbacca, joins a criminal underworld heist 10 years before the events of the original trilogy. Star Wars Solo 2 would pick up after those events.
George Lucas began developing the prequel in 2012 and commissioned Lawrence Kasdan to write the script. After Disney acquired Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012, Jonathan Kasdan was tasked with completing the screenplay while his father worked on The Force Awakens. Unfortunately, the film received a mostly negative response from fans which ruled out the chances of a Star Wars Solo 2 outing.
However, Solo: A Star Wars Story earned favorable reviews from critics who praised the cast, visuals, score, and action sequences. Still, it became the first Star Wars film to fail at the global box office, earning $393.2 million. As somewhat of a conciliation, the movie received a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 91st Academy Awards.
The poor overall reception recently prompted Ron Howard to discuss any possibility of Star Wars Solo 2. Speaking to NME, the director said fans should not expect a sequel or follow-up of any kind. “The only discussion that I’m aware of about a sequel is coming from the fans,” he told the publication.
“I don’t think it’s a Lucasfilm priority.”
Interestingly, Alden Ehrenreich signed a contract to portray Han Solo in two more projects, including Star Wars Solo 2 and another anthology entry. But as the years went by, his return became less likely, ScreenRant reports. Additionally, Jonathan Kasdan said there was no traction for another Han Solo project.
But he recently admitted he would love to write a sequel.
Several studio executives involved with Solo: A Star Wars Story have shared their thoughts about why the film did not connect with fans. Disney CEO Bob Iger took some of the blame, while Howard said the heavy use of nostalgia may have led to its downfall. So although its star and writer continue to praise the original film and remain interested in making Star Wars Solo 2, a sequel is not being considered.
However, with the success of Star Wars franchise spinoff series like The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and The Mandalorian, Star Wars Solo 2 could be picked up as a weekly show on Disney+. Additionally, a series would be an easier way to further explore the character’s story.
Until then, fans can only hope and speculate about seeing Alden Ehrenreich reprise his role as Han Solo.
