Production for the Han Solo Standalone Film Has Officially Begun

The standalone Han Solo film due out in theaters next year has officially begun production, with one director releasing a set photo to commemorate.

The Han Solo standalone film, which also doubles as an origin story, began production today. So far, we only know who’s attached to star and that it’s going to have a “Western” feel. Along with Alden Ehrenreich in the starring role, the film also includes Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca, with Emilia Clarke and Woody Harrelson in unspecified but highly speculated about roles. I’ll accept it when Lucasfilm confirms. It’s all fun and speculation until Kathleen Kennedy drops a statement.

On the other hand, I’ll settle for word from Phil Lord or Chris Miller, the directors of the film. So far, Chris Miller’s only comment on any recent news has been his tweet from earlier today:

Obviously, “Han first shot” is the best and only way to start production. Plus, it’s a really great first stop that shows everyone’s going into this looking to have a lot of fun. Additionally, the project appears to be going by the name “Red Cup”. Personally, I think it’s genius. Seriously, it’s Red Solo Cup.

Red Solo Cup.

Admittedly, it’s strange to imagine that one production photo can easily placate some of my residual hesitation of this film’s existence. It could be really great, or it could try to accomplish too much and make us all mad at the Star Wars brand. If Bob Iger’s business dealings are any indication, it’s clear that Disney (the parent studio) is about the money as much as anything else.

Hopefully, this photo really means what it’s putting out there — that Phil Lord and Chris Miller really love Star Wars. And that this movie will feel authentic to the original trilogy that made Han Solo the iconic smuggler we love.

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The Han Solo movie opens sometime in 2018.