'Solo' lands in 'Star Wars' galaxy and cast puts drama behind

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'Solo' lands in 'Star Wars' galaxy and cast puts drama behind

By Rollo Ross

 

Cast members Jon Favreau (L), Paul Bettany (C) and Donald Glover. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The latest "Star Wars" movie did not have a smooth flight to the screen, but the director and cast of "Solo" say the scramble to remake the movie ultimately paid off, with early reaction ahead of the May 25 launch largely positive.

 

Original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were fired from "Solo: A Star Wars Story" midway through production, and Walt Disney Co <DIS.N> asked Ron Howard to come in to oversee extensive reshoots.

 

The film, which tells the origin story of Han Solo, premiered in Hollywood on Thursday and drew cheers and applause throughout from the crowds in two historic theatres, the first large audiences to see the finished product.

 

"We went so fast to get the movie ready," Howard said in an interview with Reuters on Friday. "I was really on pins and needles, and I was so gratified to hear laughs and hear cheers in all the places I hoped and I dreamed that they would be. It was a good night. I slept well last night."

 

Alden Ehrenreich, 28, stepped into the role of cowboy smuggler Han Solo, made famous by Harrison Ford in the original "Star Wars" trilogy that began in 1977. Ehrenreich plays a younger Solo just beginning his pilot training and seeking his own spaceship when he becomes involved in a dangerous mission in the galaxy far, far away.

 

"Game of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke, who portrays Solo's childhood friend Qi'ra, said the change of directors produced less drama than people may think.

 

"Something that on paper sounds horrific was not in reality at all for someone who was in it and experienced and was living through it," Clarke said. "Everyone who handled it was seamless and graceful."

 

Fans around the world have debated how Ehrenreich, little known beyond a well-received performance in quirky 2016 comedy "Hail, Caesar," would handle one of cinema's most loved characters.

 

Ehrenreich confirmed he had signed a contract to play Solo in three movies and said he was anxious to step into the role again in future instalments.

 

"By the end of the movie, he's more like the guy we know, and that's fun," Ehrenreich said.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-05-13

[RichardColeman]

SPOILER ALERT - Solo does not die !

[johng]

Well he couldn't die in his pilot training years or he would never go onto meet Chewy or "acquire" the Millennium Falcon.

Or have they started parallel universe versions ?

[thaibeachlovers]

Hopefully they didn't put any damn Ewoks in this one.

Lucas made great films then added really stupid characters ie Ja Ja Binks.

 

Problem with the "new generation" of Star Wars films is they are just too PC, and they invent stuff that was never in the originals and just doesn't make sense, even in a galaxy far far away.

[johng]

Ewoks in Thai is funny/insulting
which reminds me of calling a school dinner lady at my primary school "Wookiee Petch" (after first Star Wars)
usually everyone called her "Cookie Petch" she was in tears the headmaster made us all apologise...sorry cookie Petch we didnt mean to hurt your feelings.