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As confirmed by multiple sources, Alden Ehrenreich will be playing a young Han Solo in the next Star Wars spinoff following Rogue One.
I’ve always had a personal bias against the “prequel” concept. When we know the ultimate fate of our protagonists, when their destiny is already determined, there’s an element of drama inherent with the cinematic experience that diminishes for me.
It’s partially why the Star Wars prequels didn’t feel as impacting. When we already know Anakin will become Darth Vader and Obi Wan will survive, the conflict that unfolds lacks that extra punch of surprise.
I love James Bond movies, and it’s a foregone conclusion that Bond will survive at the end of each adventure. But there’s still an element of “what if?” that keeps these films fresh. There hasn’t been a film showing Bond retired on a ranch in Montana raising three kids. The ultimate fate of James Bond is still a mystery.
And yet, I can’t wait for a Han Solo prequel adventure!
This concept is a little different.
Firstly, after seeing the Rogue One teaser, and just how amazing the footage looks, how can one not be intrigued by the idea of seeing a young Han and Chewie in their prime going on a space adventure with spectacular special effects all around them?
We’re going to know what eventually happens to Solo. But this isn’t a “roman numeral” Star Wars installment. This is part of the anthology series. This is simply “a Star Wars Story.” It’s playing in the sandbox to deliver sweet and simple entertainment.
And I’m intrigued by what this film could be.
When we meet Solo in A New Hope, he’s in a phase in his life where he still exudes those scoundrel tendencies, and yet there’s a moralistic quality that tugs at him and compels him to do the right thing.
Prior to this, we have to assume he has led a life of struggle, of survival, which made him hard to trust, and not trusting of others. As the episodes went on, and Solo discovered a higher purpose, his character softened. It will be exciting to go back to his prime, to see what havoc he has wreaked, the women he may or may not have fallen in love with prior to Leia, the exotic locales throughout the galaxy he has traveled to.
It will be just wonderful seeing how the heroism within this beloved character surfaces. Solo always struck me as an “old school” superhero. Not the kind like today, where they sit around in costume eating shawarma. I’m talking about the ones that stayed hidden behind their alter-ego’s until the world called upon them to help, and that’s when they would dawn the mask.
Solo collected his reward at the end of A New Hope and he was out of there.
Until he realized he was running away from something, he could make a difference, and they needed his help.
One of my favorite characters of all-time.
I can’t wait to go on a young Han Solo cinematic adventure.
Yeeeeee-haw!!!!!