Solo: A Star Wars Story

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

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George Lucas created an iconic interplanetary swashbuckler with the character of Han Solo. As you’ll recall Solo piloted the retooled YT-1300 Millennium Falcon with the help of his Wookiee sidekick Chewbacca. Later, Solo married Princess Leia and fathered the fallen Jedi, Ben.

We know this having watched all ten films in the “Star Wars” franchise.

These films have earned nearly $9 billion in worldwide ticket sales.

So it should be no surprise that to keep the cash registers ringing Disney has released another film in the series, a space opera that focuses on a young Han Solo.

The title is simply “Solo,” although that’s sometimes appended with “A Star Wars Story” to explain the film to the uninitiated. If there are any uninitiated left in the galaxy.

Set prior to the events of “A New Hope,” this stand-alone installment recounts the adventures of the young space adventurer and his Wookiee pal.

Lucas described Solo as “a loner who realizes the importance of being part of a group and helping for the common good.” Here, we find him a member of Tobias Beckett’s crew of smugglers. We also meet a younger version of Lando Calrissian, the original owner of the Millennium Falcon.

In “Solo” – currently playing at the Tropic Cinema — we meet younger versions of all these characters.

Keep in mind, the original Han Solo, Harrison Ford, is now 75. The original Chewbacca portrayed by Peter Meyhew, now 73. The original Lando Calrissian played by Billy Dee Williams, now 81.

So the director (lovable Ron Howard, of Mayberry fame) went to the Fountain of Youth and came up with new players:
In the title role we encounter 28-year-old Alden Ehrenreich. As Chewie we have 31-year-old former basketball player Joonas Suotamo, who took over the Wookiee role some films back. And Lando Calrissian is handled by 34-year-old actor-comedian-writer-director-singer-songwriter-DJ Donald Glover (A/K/A Childish Gambino).

Stepping into the role of Tobias Beckett is omnipresent actor Woody Harrelson. Beckett is the criminal mastermind who serves as Han Solo’s mentor. “Well, he really shapes Han really more than anybody, as Han comes to realize that in a lawless time he needs to try to come to terms with some kind of moral code,” says director Ron Howard.

Screenwriters Lawrence and Jon Kasdan based the Beckett character on Long John Silver, the charismatic scoundrel who takes young Jim Hawkins under his wing in “Treasure Island.”

Thandie Newton pops up as Beckett’s wife and fellow smuggler. And Emilia Clarke appears as Solo’s romantic interest and partner in crime.

Backup characters offer the voices of Jon Favreau, Linda Hunt, and Paul Bettany.

We’re told Harrison Ford and Billy Dee Williams met with their “younger selves” and coached them on the roles.

Or maybe not. As Alden Ehrenreich tells it, “Harrison Ford took him aside and said, ‘If anyone asks, tell them I told you everything you need to know. And that you can’t tell anyone what that was.’”

Ron Howard laughs when he hears this story. He too met with Harrison Ford before filming “Solo.” Howard says, “He admitted that he was more forthcoming with me than he was with Alden, because he didn’t want to hamstring Alden. He thought it was so important that Alden find a character, within the scripted Han Solo, that he could connect with and understand, and not be limited by his advice in any way.”

Alden Ehrenreich keeps a picture on his computer of a kid dressed as Han Solo posing with a dog dressed as Chewbacca. It’s a reminder of whom these movies are really for at the end of the day.

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com