The Week in Star Wars returns with news from the set of Han Solo, a possible rumour for Star Wars Rebels and more…
With Han Solo: A Star Wars Story (not the official title) underway, we can expect to see snappers getting some pictures from the set. We had our first official look at the cast a couple of months ago, but this set photo has given us our first glimpse at Alden Ehrenreich as the iconic smuggler. Check out the photo here…
…Looking ahead to this December’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi now, and the new Japanese poster for the movie has given us one more reason to be excited. According to the poster’s tag line, the second part of the new trilogy will feature “the most shocking truth in Star Wars history”. Check it out here…
…In some rather interesting “what if” news, concept artist Ian McCaig revealed this week that George Lucas had a very different ending for Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith when it comes to the relationship between Anakin and Padme. “Right behind his back, [Padme] is starting the Rebellion to overthrow him, because Padme can see the he is becoming a monster,” said McCaig. “At the end, on Mustafar, when she goes to see [Anakin], she has a knife in her hands. She gets off the ship with the knife, she runs up and throws her arms around him, and he lets her. She’s got the knife to the back of [Anakin’s] neck and she’s going to kill him. [Again], he lets her. But she can’t do it. She loves him too much to stop him, even when he becomes the monster.” It would be interesting to learn why Lucas changed her mind…
…Fans of the documentary Elstree 1976 will be pleased to know that the team behind it are working on a sequel which will look at the work done on Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. “We are really excited to be returning to the DNA of the Star Wars universe and specifically The Empire Strikes Back, to cast a unique and forensic eye over a truly explosive community – the British stuntmen and women that brought their skills to Elstree in 1979 and beyond,” said producer Hank Starrs. You can read more comments on Elstree 1979 here…
…Star Wars Rebels has seen several returning stars over the years – including James Earl Jones (Darth Vader), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Frank Oz (Yoda), Forest Whitaker (Saw Gerrera) and Genevieve O’Reilly (Mon Mothma) – and a new rumour is suggesting we’ll see another one in the next season. According to the good folks at StarWarsNews, Ian McDiarmid will be reprising his role of Emperor Palpatine and has already recorded his session with Star Rebels creator Dave Filoni…
…Finally in comic book news, Marvel have announced a new spin-off to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story focusing on the adventures of Cassian Andor and his reprogramming Imperial security droid K-2sO titled Star Wars: Rogue One – Cassian & K-2SO Special #1: Despite fighting to protect the galaxy, Cassian Andor and K-2SO haven’t always been on the same side of the Galactic Civil War – and readers will find out why in this new story, which includes the two characters meeting each other for the very first time! Not only that, but Marvel also announced Star Wars: Jedi of the Republic – Mace Windu for release this August: One of the most accomplished and storied members of the Jedi High Council, his wisdom and combat prowess are legendary. Now, in this new story, readers will get to see Mace Windu lead his Jedi into battle…and face the ultimate test of leadership!
That’s all for this week – may the Force be with you.
Luke Owen is the Deputy Editor of Flickering Myth, the co-host of The Flickering Myth Podcast and the author of Lights, Camera, GAME OVER!: How Video Game Movies Get Made (which you can pre-order from Amazon UK and Amazon US). You can follow him on Twitter @ThisisLukeOwen.
Originally published May 21, 2017. Updated November 30, 2022.
