The cast of the Han Solo prequel has boarded the Millennium Falcon.
Principal photography on the standalone “Star Wars” film began Monday at London’s Pinewood Studios, where “The Force Awakens” and “Rogue One” were also shot. The events in the untitled movie take place before those of “A New Hope.”
Disney, which owns Lucasfilm, included the first cast photo in a press release on Tuesday. Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller are seen aboard the Falcon with Alden Ehrenreich, who plays Han Solo, and co-stars Woody Harrelson, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Emilia Clarke and Donald Glover, who plays Lando Calrissian. Chewbacca, played by Joonas Suotamo instead of Peter Mayhew, lords over the group. The press release also confirms Thandie Newton has a role in the movie.
The exact plot has net yet been revealed, but Disney describes the project as “the adventure-filled past of the iconic scoundrel and everyone’s favorite Wookiee ... including their early encounters with that other card-playing rogue from a galaxy far, far away, Lando Calrissian.”
Marking the second standalone “Star Wars” installment after last year’s “Rogue One,” the Solo film is slated to open May 25, 2018, five months after “Episode VIII — The Last Jedi.” It’s written by Lawrence Kasdan, who scripted “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Return of the Jedi” and “The Force Awakens,” and his son, Jon Kasdan, who wrote episodes of “Dawson’s Creek” and “Freaks and Geeks.”
Despite Disney calling Monday the official start of production, Chris Miller tweeted a photo referencing the who-shot-first debate on Jan. 30. The slate in Miller’s hand called the movie “Star Wars: Red Cup.”
One more reason to get excited: Bradford Young, the Oscar-nominated cinematographer of “Arrival” and “Selma,” is listed as the director of photography.
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