More Forces of Destiny coming October 1

The second wave of Forces of Destiny will begin with two half-hour specials on the Disney Channel and Disney Channel app. The first will debut Sunday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m., followed by the second on October 29 at 8:00pm. They’ll appear on Disney’s Youtube after the specials, a departure from the first wave, which debuted online.

The Last Jedi will “finally resolve” Rey’s parentage – but will it matter?

Today’s first Entertainment Weekly story tweaks Rey’s parentage, which may not be the bombshell some are hoping for. “You can always look for answers and that doesn’t mean that the rest of your life is so easy. It’s not like, oh, I know who my parents are so now everything falls into shape, especially in the Star Wars world,” Daisy Ridley says.

“There’s always room for bad people to make good decisions and vice versa,” she says later.

Finn’s background will also be explored, although more on the recent end of things – his time in the First Order, since we know he’s going undercover there with Rose – than his early life.

The final article is a bit of a grab-bag, covering Kylo Ren, Han Solo’s (figurative!) ghost, Chewbacca, Captain Phasma, and Maz Kanata.

Hey, doubters: Let’s give the Han Solo movie a chance

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Well, of course the Han Solo movie is rumored to be about Han winning the Millennium Falcon from Lando Calrissian. Of course. It’s only the most iconic Han and Lando story, the bare outline direct from The Empire Strikes Back.

That said, the rumor does come from a tweet by The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit, who claims to have heard it from “a couple of sources” – though not, apparently, enough for an actual story. Still, it would be bigger news if the film didn’t involve the Falcon.

Now, we’re all a little (a lot, truth be told) sick of people complaining about how this film is going to be “predictable” or “boring.” About how people would rather have an Obi-wan movie, or whatever. (No, you’re not the first person to say it. You’re not even the thousandth.) And this rumor isn’t going to help matters, I’m sure. But the film is in pre-production. It has two key roles cast – Han and Lando – with a third that probably isn’t far behind. (Not to mention Chewbacca is probably locked in, as we know Ehrenrich tested with either Peter Mayhew or Joonas Suotamo.)

han-lord-miller-falconMost importantly, It also has a pair of directors who are best known for taking “horrible” ideas and actually making great films out of them. If you somehow managed to miss Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s The LEGO Movie or 21 Jump Street remake, please give them a try. And remember Lawrence Kasdan? He co-wrote the thing. These are not a bunch of random dudes off the street making a fan film. They, and everyone else at Lucasfilm, have a clear concept of the character and the film – check out those Celebration Europe clips again.

What do we, the audience, have? Hints and rumors and speculation – not the most solid ground for judgement.

I’m not going to discount the possibility that the movie could still turn out so-so. Hell, I’m still a little wary about the whole spinoff concept myself.

Fact is, this movie is happening. You don’t have to like it, but that’s not going to change at this point. But it’s far, far too soon to write it off. Give Han Solo a chance, just like you’re going to give Rogue One a chance. Hopefully, they both manage to surprise us.

Reports: Alden Ehrenreich is the new Han Solo

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Was the blaster a sign? Because it certainly looks like Alden Ehrenreich has the role of young Han Solo all wrapped up. Page Six was first to report last night that the alleged front-runner for the role has it in the bag, followed by The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and Entertainment Weekly.

We can only hope an official announcement is imminent, but these things can take a while.

The still-untitled Han Solo film, from The Lego Movie directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller with a script by Lawrence and Jon Kasdan, will be the second standalone Star Wars film. It’s due out in 2018 and expected to begin shooting at Pinewood Studios in London after Episode VIII wraps up.

Chewbacca will be part of the young Han Solo movie

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Disney CEO Bob Iger today referred to Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s 2018 standalone as “an origin story about Han and Chewie,” our first official word that the Wookiee will be part of the film. Is this what Peter Mayhew’s script bonanza on Twitter been leading up to?

In the old Legends universe, the two met while Han was serving in the Imperial military and Chewbacca was a slave. Han’s refusal to kill the Wookiee led to their eventual partnership and Chewbacca’s life debt – elements that may or may not be incorporated into the film. (I’d bet on not, but stranger things have happened.) In the current canon, there’s nothing on record about Chewbacca’s life between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. – or Han’s before ANH, though he was in consideration for ROTS.

So, the next question: Young Lando?