Lucasfilm remains busier than ever moving through their slate of Star Wars films. As The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson handles his post-production responsibilities for this December's blockbuster, Phil Lord and Chris Miller have started principal photography on their young Han Solo spinoff. Though that movie has a highly accomplished creative team assembled (including veteran Star Wars writer Lawrence Kasdan working on the script), some fans remain skeptical of its prospects. For many, there's no replacing Harrison Ford as the famous smuggler, and Alden Ehrenreich could be walking into a no-win scenario.
Still, there are those who remain confident the project can be another entertaining installment in the long-running franchise. Last summer, Force Awakens conceptual artist Ian McCaig called the screenplay one of the best he ever read, praising it for its sense of humor. Now, another member of the Star Wars family has voiced their excitement for Han Solo: J.J. Abrams.
The Episode VII helmsman was interviewed by Fox News, and he briefly discussed the second anthology film, promising fans that they're in for something special:
“I can tell you it is an amazing script and the cast is obviously extraordinary.”
Obviously, Abrams (who worked with Kasdan on Force Awakens) isn't going to badmouth the development of a future Star Wars movie, but it's nevertheless encouraging to hear he likes Han Solo's creative direction. Throughout his career, Abrams has demonstrated a knack for telling exciting and enthralling stories, so it's safe to trust his judgment. He's also right in his assessment of the ensemble, which is quite strong. Joining Ehrenreich are Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Thandie Newton. The casting decisions have been responsible for generating much excitement for Han Solo, as many are curious to see what these thespians bring to the table. Even those still unsure of the spinoff's necessity have had their interests piqued.
This isn't the first time Abrams has hailed the greatness of a new Star Wars script, either. He feels Johnson's screenplay for The Last Jedi is so good, he wishes he could direct it himself. While Abrams is no longer calling the shots on any other films set in a galaxy far, far away, he remains involved with the franchise as a producer. This means he has an active role in plotting a course for the series, and he unsurprisingly can't wait for viewers to see what the story group has in store. In his interview, Abrams reflected on how The Force Awakens introduced a new generation of fans to the property and said, "what is coming up is even more exciting." Lucasfilm keeps a tight lid on their tentpoles, but there's no denying it's a great time to be a Star Wars fan. Disney's done an excellent job so far, and there's no reason to believe the hot streak can't continue.
Source: Fox News
