This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Han Solo Movie 'Solo' Brings So Low Expectations

With every grim update, Star Wars fans have grown more and more concerned about the Han Solo spinoff movie. What started out as a questionable idea (did anyone want to see the origins of a perfectly self-contained character who was so clearly defined by the actor who originally played him?!) only got worse once the talented directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were kicked off the project due to "creative differences," and Ron Howard was brought in to make the best of the mess. The more hopeful among us might have pointed out that Rogue One had similar behind-the-scenes problems and it turned out fine, but at least that film had a good title.
Today, Howard announced on Twitter that the official title for the film is... Solo: A Star Wars Story. Which is only slightly better than the working titles Star Wars: The Han Solo Story: Kessel Run This Town and Stars Wars: So Low Expectations. But it still broke the first rule of naming a movie: don't let the name rhyme with "Uh Oh," "Ruh Roh" or "Oh Dear God No."
Hey #Twitterville we just wrapped production so here's a special message #StarWars pic.twitter.com/8QJqN5BGxr
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) October 17, 2017
The title is so basic, someone pulled it out of a hat back in February:
Anyway this has been fun, but if I had to bet I'd put my credits on a super basic title like
— Chris Taylor (@FutureBoy) February 21, 2017
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
At least this explains why the (actual) working title for the film was Red Cup.
Everything could have been different.
c'mon, Howard, just give the audience what it wants pic.twitter.com/YyKHsYXF9X
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) October 17, 2017
Anyway, the film—which does have a pretty great cast, including Alden Ehrenreich as the titular Solo, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Woody Harrelson as Han's mentor, Emilia Clarke as someone named Kira, the goddess Phoebe Waller-Bridge as a robot, Paul Bettany as a Paul Bettany-ish character and Thandie Newton—will be released on May 25, 2018.
The only Solo I recognize https://t.co/RGlqw3sIl8
— Ben Yakas (@yenbakas) October 17, 2017
-
Donald Trump was a fading TV presence when the WGA strike put a dent in network schedules.
-
Pickets are being held outside at movie and TV studios across the city
-
For some critics, this feels less like a momentous departure and more like a footnote.
-
Disneyland's famous "Fantasmic!" show came to a sudden end when its 45-foot animatronic dragon — Maleficent — burst into flames.
-
Leads Ali Wong and Steven Yeun issue a joint statement along with show creator Lee Sung Jin.
-
Every two years, Desert X presents site-specific outdoor installations throughout the Coachella Valley. Two Los Angeles artists have new work on display.