Star Wars' Young Han Solo Spinoff Starts Filming In January 2017

Two Sundays ago, Lawrence Kasdan, the legendary Star Wars screenwriter behind The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens and the upcoming Han Solo standalone film, was given Atlanta Jewish Film Festival's first Icon Award for Contributions to the Cinematic Arts.

Before accepting his award, Kasdan took part in a Q&A with the media, covering a number of Star Wars topics, such as the status of Han Solo: A Star Wars Story. Jacques Couret of the Atlanta Business Chronicle was on hand and has provided a transcript.

Q: What can you tell us about the Han Solo project?

Lawrence Kasdan: Young Han! (Laughs)

Q: For the fans, generally speaking, should they be excited?

Lawrence Kasdan: Oh, I think so! You know, Chris Miller and Phil Lord are going to direct it. They're great, funny and imaginative and we've had a great time together. My son [Jon] and I wrote the script and Chris and Phil are working on it and they're about to move to London to start shooting in January. And it should be fun.

Q: 2018 is the release date?

Lawrence Kasdan: Yes. They're actually scheduled for May. The [other Star Wars films] are falling on Christmas — Rogue One and Episode 9. Han will come before Episode 9.

Aside from Star Wars, Kasdan's other writing credits include 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981's Grand Canyon (nominated for an Oscar - Best Original Screenplay), 1983's The Big Chill (nominated for an Oscar - Best Original Screenplay), 1985's Silverado, and 1988's The Accidental Tourist (nominated for 2 Oscars - Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay).

(via starwarsnewsnet)

The film will stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo and is being directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The LEGO Movie, 21 Jump Street), based on a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back, The Force Awakens) and his son Jon.

Han Solo: A Star Wars Story will be released on May 25, 2018.