‘Star Wars’ Spinoffs: Han Solo and Boba Fett to Get Their Own Movies
The road to new, Disney-fied Star Wars grows more epic by the day. Yesterday, Disney announced plans to make two spinoff movies in addition to the Episode VII movie to be directed by J.J. Abrams. These movies will be written by Lawrence Kasdan (screenwriter of The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi) and Simon Kinberg (Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith), who are also collaborating on Michael Arndt’s script for Episode VII. Kasdan’s involvement, in particular, is great news, as he helped shape two of the films of the beloved original trilogy.
Now, it’s being reported that one of these spinoff films will focus on Boba Fett, the bounty hunter portrayed by Jeremy Bulloch in Empire and Jedi (and seen as a kid played by Daniel Logan in Episode II: Attack of the Clones). This story would take place sometime in between movies in the original trilogy. No word on casting, but as Boba Fett never took off his helmet during the original trilogy, no big deal. Since it was revealed in Episode II that Boba Fett was the son of the original stormtrooper clone played by Temuera Morrison, it’s not implausible that Morrison could be asked to take on the role.
The other spinoff film would take place between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope, and focus on the “origin story” of a young Han Solo. This could pave the way for Peter Mayhew to reprise his role of Chewbacca. But of course Solo himself would have to be recast. (Possibly leaving Harrison Ford to film framing scenes for flashbacks?)
No director is attached to either project yet. While Episode VII is planned for a 2015 release date, there’s no word yet on when these spinoffs might hit theaters.
Interesting to note is that the setting of both of these stories would allow an appearance in each by the menacing Darth Vader, who, most likely, will not be able to figure prominently into Episode VII. Though they could be subject to change at this early juncture, both stories sound interesting – and should appeal to rabid fans of the original trilogy.
Honestly, I’d bet my money on Yoda: The Musical.
“Jam to my beats, you will.”
via EW.com