New Rumor Suggests Maz Kanata Could Appear in Han Solo Film

08/20/2017 04:11 pm EDT

The upcoming Han Solo film is expected to take a certain galaxy far, far away in a new direction - and a new rumor suggests that Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o) could be along for the ride.

Mark Robben, Director of Marketing for Funko, was recently interviewed on the SteeleWars podcast. He expressed his excitement for Han Solo's ensemble cast, which included "Emilia Clarke, Lupita Nyong'o, Donald Glover, [and] Woody Harrelson." Obviously, Nyongo's name stands out amongst that list, as there was no prior indication that Max could be appearing in the film.

While this easily could be chalked up to Robben getting his information mixed up, some have taken it as a hint that Maz will be featured in some capacity in Han Solo.

Nyong'o first brought Maz to life in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where it was hinted that she has a longstanding friendship with both Han and Chewbacca. While the film is set to cover the early days of the dynamic between the smuggler and the Wookie, it isn't out of the question that they could have crossed paths with Maz in some way at that point.

And with Funko's expansive ties to Star Wars' various properties, it isn't out of the question that Funko could already be in the process of developing Han Solo figures before the film's 2018 release date.

As of right now, there's no telling if Maz will actually appear in the Han Solo film. She certainly isn't the only character to be attached to the anthology film, with everyone from Darth Vader to Jabba The Hutt rumored to appear.

The Han Solo film will arrive in theaters on May 25, 2018.

Set prior to the events of Han Solo's first appearance in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, the film stars Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Joonas Suotamo. The film is said to show how Han Solo and Chewbacca first met Lando Calrissian, played by Glover.

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