While we’re waiting for an official announcement from Disney and Lucasfilm on the start of production for Phil Lord and Chris Miller‘s 2018 Han Solo Star Wars Story film, set to star Alden Ehrenreich (Hail, Caesar!), screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens) has made some new comments to the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (via Star Wars News Net) about that film and his continued involvement in the Star Wars Saga!
Besides confirming the January start date for the shoot, Kasdan also stated that he is still peripherally involved with Episodes 8 and 9.
“I have a little information,” Kasdan said of the overall arc of the sequel trilogy. “[Star Wars Episode 8 Director] Rian [Johnson] is a friend of mine. I’m getting to know Colin Trevorrow, who is going to direct Episode 9, so I feel very involved with it.”
The screenplay for the Han Solo movie is written by Lawrence Kasdan and Jon Kasdan and will focus on how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley. It has also been confirmed that Chewbacca will also be a featured character in the film and, while unconfirmed, it s likely that The Force Awakens‘ Joonas Suotamo will reprise the role.
Slated for a May 25, 2018 release, the Han Solo movie will be executive produced by Lawrence Kasdan and Jason McGatlin and co-produced by Will Allegra. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, meanwhile, hits theaters December 16, 2016.
