Cantina Talk: Is Solo in Even More Trouble?

March 20, 2019 0 By JohnValbyNation

As one Star Wars saga ends, another begins… Or maybe another two? Three? As Solo: A Star Wars Story lumbers closer to its May release date, things are changing dramatically for short-form Star Wars stories as Rebels wraps up and the man behind Iron Man is handed the keys to the kingdom to bring the Lucasfilm universe to the small screen in a whole new way. Things are afoot in the galaxy. May the Force be with us all.

Solo Ends Up in Even More Trouble

The Source: Official Disney statement

Probability of Accuracy: It’s certainly accurate that things aren’t looking too good when it comes to this movie.

The Real Deal: Furthering the idea that Solo: A Star Wars Story is, in fact, a cursed movie, Disney has been forced to respond to allegations that the posters for the movie—which gained attention for breaking with tradition and going with a more graphic design scheme, as opposed to the traditional look of other Star Wars posters—might, in fact, have been copied from a series of album covers by French artist Hachim Bouhous. A statement from Disney to the press, responding to requests for comment following Bouhous’ accusation, reads, "The posters were created by an outside vendor and it’s something we are currently looking into." That’s far from the full-throated defense—or, really, any defense—many would have expected. Perhaps there will be a credit for Bouhous or some new all-new posters before too long?

Yes, Live-Action Star Wars Is Finally Coming to TV

The Source: An official Lucasfilm announcement

Probability of Accuracy: It’s 100 percent happening.

The Real Deal: It’s been much-teased (not least of all by Disney CEO Bob Iger), but this past week, Lucasfilm made it official: There will be a live-action Star Wars series on the upcoming Disney streaming service, with Jon Favreau acting as writer and executive producer on the show. Absolutely no information about the series itself was released, including a release date, but at least now everybody knows it’s for real. For those wondering, the Disney service is anticipated to launch in the latter half of next year, and while it’s not impossible to imagine that Star Wars would be part of the launch package, Favreau will likely be working on The Lion King until its release, and that won’t be until July 2019.

Return of the Snoke

The Source: The man behind the Supreme Leader himself, Andy Serkis

Probability of Accuracy: It’s more of a tease than an official announcement, but…

The Real Deal: Andy Serkis is, once again talking about the possibility that fans haven’t seen the last of Supreme Leader Snoke, despite—spoiler alert—his dramatic death in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. For one thing, there’s the fact that we still don’t know what he wanted … although, Serkis suggests, the filmmakers did. "J.J. [Abrams] and I discussed it, and Rian [Johnson] and I did discuss backstories to him, where he came from. I’ve been asked to not shed anything, should we want to bring him back in any way whether [in a] prequel or whatever. I think there’s something cool about that. It still does remain a mystery for people. I know that some people find it incredibly frustrating, but I think it allows for further exploration and layering at a further point." When asked if that further point means a potential on-screen revival for the character, the actor said, “Yeah, I would love to think that there is room for him to come back. I think anything’s possible in a Star Wars movie. I’d be all up for it. I think there’s a lot more to be had from the character for sure, but I’m not in discussions with anybody at all about it.” That would appear to rule out an appearance in Episode IX, but maybe someone is already secretly planning a Snoke-centric Star Wars Story down the line.

Phasma Was Almost Exposed

The Source: Lucasfilm’s promotional team

Probability of Accuracy: It’s accurate, even if it’s not canon.

The Real Deal: Here’s something fun and unexpected. As revealed on the latest episode of The Star Wars Show, the upcoming Blu-ray edition of Star Wars: The Last Jedi will feature a deleted scene that shows a very different version of the climactic fight between Finn and Phasma, including Finn revealing to the stormtroopers just what happened on Starkiller Base, and Phasma re-enacting a fine Star Wars tradition. Is it better than what audiences saw on the big screen? The jury is out, but we're leaning towards “yes.” Let’s cut off some more hands in Episode IX. J.J., are you reading this?

Solo’s Crime Lord Will Be More Human When the Movie Debuts

The Source: The original crime boss himself, Michael K. Williams

Probability of Accuracy: In that he’s describing something that will ultimately never have happened, it’s … accurate-adjacent?

The Real Deal: Meanwhile, file this under “Things Fans Won’t Get to See Even in Blu-ray Extras.” Michael K. Williams has opened up about being cut from Solo: A Star Wars Story, with his role as Dryden Vos—originally intended to be a CGI character—going to Paul Bettany, who’ll appear onscreen without CGI. "What saddens me most is I was very proud of the work that I did," Williams told EW. "What I believe I have created with Emilia Clarke and Woody Harrelson and Alden [Ehrenreich, who plays Han Solo]… I thought it was some great work. We was on the spaceship, and we all had these amazing scenes together, and I thought it was a great opportunity, and I thought it was some great stuff. It’s unfortunate the world won’t get to see it.” Surely Bettany will do a great job, but are we the only ones who’d rather have seen Williams as a Solo crime lord?

For Rebels, the End Is the Beginning

The Source: Showrunner Dave Filoni

Probability of Accuracy: Consider this more a tease than an accurate commentary.

The Real Deal: The final episode of Star Wars Rebels proved to be far less final than many expected, thanks to a finale that suggested a whole new adventure lies ahead for some key players. With a flash-forward epilogue showing Sabine Wren and Ahsoka Tano setting out to search for the missing, potentially-dead Ezra Bridger, many fans might have wondered if Rebels was ending by setting up a potential sequel series … something that showrunner and producer Dave Filoni didn’t exactly deny when asked about the possibility. "I’ve always felt the best stories end and then other stories begin, and there’s no better way to take two of my favorite characters and have them ride off into the sunset, like I’ve seen so many cowboys [do] over the years, or Indiana Jones," he said during a panel appearance. "One thing ends and another begins, and the story continues. That’s a saga." So, look out for a new announcement coming soon, perhaps?

Episode IX Will Be the End of Star Wars for at Least One Person

The Source: Composer John Williams

Probability of Accuracy: Unless he can be convinced to change his mind, it's sadly very accurate.

The Real Deal: While it’s very possible that Disney and Lucasfilm will keep producing Star Wars movies until everyone reading this is dead and gone, there’s one integral part of the franchise that is already looking to step away: John Williams said in a recent radio interview that he’s looking to leave the franchise very soon. "We know J.J. Abrams is preparing [Episode IX] now for next year that I will hopefully do for him, and I look forward to it," the 86-year-old composer told KUSC, adding, “It will round out a series of nine and be quite enough for me.” Once again, he’s 86 years old. Finishing out the Skywalker Saga seems like a good place to draw the line, if not a good place to retire from the movie-scoring business altogether. As long as everyone can agree he deserves a tribute concert of his own when it’s all over.