It’s going on five months since the release and subsequent success of The Last Jedi, and already, Lucasfilm is gearing up for another interstellar voyage to that galaxy far, far away.
We are, of course, referring to Ron Howard’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, the second Anthology pic to emerge from Disney’s rejuvenated franchise after the really rather excellent Rogue One.
And similar to how Lucasfilm hired Tony Gilroy to overhaul the film’s third act, Solo is also emerging from a turbulent production, during which time the Powers That Be severed ties with Chris Miller and Phil Lord, and turned to Howard in their time of need. To his credit, and at least based on early reactions, it seems the latter filmmaker has defied the odds to deliver a rip-roaring Star Wars adventure that is every bit as entertaining and inspired as the original trilogy.
Among those to receive praise are Alden Ehrenreich (Han Solo) and the so-hot-right-now Donald Glover, who took over the role of Lando Calrissian after gaining the blessing of Billy Dee Williams. And sure enough, just as Solo was beginning to fall into place, Glover made it his mission to star alongside Ehrenreich as the young, smooth-talking smuggler.
Via CBR, here’s what the actor had to say about throwing himself into such a prominent, established character, and why he considers it to be the role of a lifetime.
When I heard they were making these, I told my agent ‘if they’re making anything with Lando in it, I have to be Lando. And he was like, ‘I hear you; I don’t like your odds.’ And that was exactly what I needed to hear. I really did audition like it was the only role I wanted in the world, because it really was. I’m just really happy to be a part of this. My dad imprinted me with this kind of Star Wars longing, because it does feel like the Bible to me in a lot of ways.
Solo: A Star Wars Story isn’t expected to blast into theaters until May 25th, but it’s already garnering praise from the four corners of the industry – Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams included. Look for the official review embargo to lift tomorrow, May 15th.
