George Lucas Contributed This Moment In 'Solo: A Star Wars Story'
This weekend, Solo: A Star Wars Story hits theaters and fans will finally get to see if Ron Howard was able to save the once troubled production that removed directors Phil Lord & Chris Miller from the director's chair. Most of the movie ended up being reshot by Howard, but there's one small moment that didn't come from the filmmaker. Instead, it was a contribution from George Lucas.
As we heard previously, George Lucas visited the set of Solo: A Star Wars Story after Ron Howard took over the project. Howard has a long professional relationship and friendship with Lucas after starring in the director's coming of age flick American Graffiti, made just before he went on to create Star Wars. And Solo finally allowed them to collaborate, albeit briefly, in a galaxy far, far away.
So what was this George Lucas Solo advice offered to Ron Howard on set? Find out below, but beware that there are some minor plot details spoiled below.
When Howard discussed George Lucas coming to the set of Solo, the director mentioned there was a little bit that was concocted by the creator of Star Wars. Now he's specified what moment came from Lucas himself. It's not exactly anything Earth shattering, but it's a contribution that shows he still knows how to handle the characters he created. But first some set up.
There's a scene in Solo involving Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo and Emilia Clarke as Qi'ra, his estranged former partner in crime and romance. They get a tender moment to more properly reunite without having to hide their feelings for each other. Qi'ra is trying on one of Lando's many capes in his closet, and when Han approaches her to do some flirting and hear what's been going on in the three years they've been apart, he takes the cape off. Originally, Han hung the cape back up in the closet, but Lucas offered an alternate approach. Howard explained to Variety:
"He said, 'You know, Han wouldn't bother to hang it up.' And then he sort of did it. George became Han Solo for a second. The body language was there and the attitude. Not only was it a nice accent on the scene, but it was also a reminder that George created this character and really understood him. He was so reluctant [to offer his opinion], and yet the choice was so right that it was fun to use it."
As you can see, it's not a huge moment, but it's a subtle character choice that really does fit in perfectly with who Han Solo really is. It illustrates how these characters are still very much in Lucas and he hasn't entirely lost his touch, even if the prequels would seem to indicate otherwise. It also makes us wonder what it might have been like if George Lucas was allowed to play with his original Star Wars character in a larger capacity. Hell, there was a Han Solo movie in development by George Lucas before Lucasfilm was bought by Disney, so it's not so far-fetched of an idea.
Solo: A Star Wars Story hits theaters this week on May 25, 2018.