‘Han Solo: A Star Wars Story’ Production Kicks Off With A Cast Photo

The Han Solo: A Star Wars Story production is officially underway. A new official photo shows the cast cramming into the Millennium Falcon.

The official Star Wars Twitter account released a photo of the cast of the upcoming young Han Solo stand-alone film. The pic includes our first look at Joonas Suotamo (not Peter Mayhew this time) as everyone’s favourite Wookiee, Chewbacca. Suotamo took to Instagram to express his excitement and honour Peter Mayhew:

Though some fans may feel a great disturbance in the Force, with many complaining that ‘Disney is simply milking the franchise for every buck that it can’, it’s clear that the actors are having a great time on the set. Notably absent from the cuddle is Thandie Newton, who recently joined the cast.

Woody Harrelson, known for wide-ranging roles in film and TV such as The Hunger Games, True Detective, and Zombieland, will join actors Alden Ehrenreich (Han Solo), Donald Glover (Lando Calrissian), and Emilia Clarke in the adventure.

The film which is being helmed by The Lego Movie directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Jon Kasdan and will focus on how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley.

Harrelson told Mashable in a Facebook Live chat that his character is multidimensional. “I’m a mentor to Han, but I’m also a bit of a criminal,” he said. “I don’t think I should say much more than that because the Force is not allowing me.”

Han Solo: A Star Wars Story will hit theatres in 2018.