Solo: A Star Wars Story Writer Discusses Possibility of Sequel

Solo: A Star Wars Story co-writer Jonathan Kasdan took to Twitter earlier this week to answer fan questions about the possibility of a sequel to the film in the Star Wars Anthology series. Although praising the work of stars Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, and Joonas Suotamo, Kasdan feels that it is unlikely a continuation to Solo will happen in the near future. Kasdan points out that the film’s high production costs and tepid box office haul make it unlikely that Disney or Lucasfilm will be looking to produce a second entry in the series anytime soon. Solo grossed just under $400 million when it was released last May. While a respectable take for any other blockbuster film, Solo’s $400 million intake was deemed disappointing by Star Wars standards. The last film in the Star Wars Anthology series, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, grossed over a billion dollars when it was released in 2016.

Film analysts are divided as to why Solo failed to attract a wider audience. Many argue that audiences associated Harrison Ford with the character of Han Solo, and refused to accept Ehrenreich as Ford’s younger replacement. Others argue that Solo’s May release date hurt the film’s box office intake due to too much competition. Less than a month prior to Solo’s premiere, Avengers: Infinity War and Deadpool 2 were released, taking audience attention away from Solo. Analysts who make this argument also point out that Star Wars movies that grossed higher than Solo, including Rogue One, were released in the month of December with less competition. Still others contend that the film’s May release was too close to the release of the last Star Wars film, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. With less than six months between the releases of The Last Jedi and Solo, some believe that audiences were not drawn to Solo due to franchise fatigue.

Despite feeling that fans will have to wait longer to see a sequel to Solo, Kasdan remains confident that there is a chance for a continuation of the story. Specifically, Kasdan contends that Disney might be more willing to make a sequel if it became more affordable to produce films in the series. Solo: A Star Wars Story will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on September 25, but fans can already enjoy it on Digital HD.