‘Rogue One’ Team Shoots Down Han Solo and Anakin Skywalker Rumors
Since spending the GDP of a small country to acquire the Star Wars rights from George Lucas, Disney has done its best to wipe the slate clean of decades of accumulated fan theories and speculation. Under the guidance of Kathleen Kennedy and the rest of LucasFilm, the new creative team has streamlined the canon, narrowed down the list of key characters for the sequels, and otherwise done its best to mark a new course for the Star Wars franchise. So when a new set of rumors began to surface at Star Wars Celebration Europe this past month, it was no surprise that the official response was immediate and firm.
Fans have speculated recently as to whether Alden Ehrenreich’s Han Solo character or Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker would make a guest appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. With Rogue One set to lead right up to the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, it was possible — albeit unlikely — the timelines even matched up with what fans had in mind. Rather than let this rumor linger, however, LucasFilm president Kathleen Kennedy and Rogue One director Gareth Edwards let fans know in no uncertain terms that neither character would be back.
“I’m not sure if I’m allowed to do this,” Edwards told Extra, “but I think I should… I can put to bed, Han Solo is not in the movie.” In a separate interview with Extra, Kennedy responded to questions about a possible Christensen cameo with a simple, “No, that is not true. I can confirm that.”
There is absolutely no upside for Lucasfilm to throw Han Solo into the mix for Rogue One. None. The most recent Star Wars film set all kinds of box office records; even the rumors surrounding the casting of Han Solo were a major draw for websites and publications everywhere. Stretching your Rogue One narrative to fit in a Alden Ehrenreich cameo only makes sense if you’re trying to build anticipation for the upcoming films, and Star Wars fans haven’t needed help getting excited for more movies since May 26, 1977. You’ve put all these resources and energy into finding the right actor for the character, so don’t treat him like he’s an easter egg in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Let’s kick off your Han Solo prequels right.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story stars everyone you’ve been reading about for the past year and opens on December 16, 2016.