Star Wars announces Han Solo spinoff film in 2018

In this 1977 image, Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) are shown in a scene from “Star Wars.” AP

Star Wars scoundrel-turned-hero Han Solo is set to go solo as the film franchise has announced that the popular character will be the focus of a standalone movie slated for a May 25, 2018, release.

In a statement posted on its official website on Wednesday, Star Wars said the spinoff film will be directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, the brains behind “The Lego Movie,” “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” “21 Jump Street,” and “22 Jump Street.”

“Among the most sought-after filmmakers working today, the two have proven a formidable duo on the multiple films they’ve collaborated on and are looking forward to applying their unique creative chemistry to the Star Wars universe,” the statement said.

Star Wars said the upcoming movie would center on Solo’s origins, particularly how he “became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley.”

“This is the first film we’ve worked on that seems like a good idea to begin with. We promise to take risks, to give the audience a fresh experience, and we pledge ourselves to be faithful stewards of these characters who mean so much to us,” it said.

“And not the kind of dream where you’re late for work and all your clothes are made of pudding, but the kind of dream where you get to make a film with some of the greatest characters ever, in a film franchise you’ve loved since before you can remember having dreams at all.”

Star Wars said the screenplay was written by father-and-son Lawrence and Jon Kasdan. Lawrence also cowrote the screenplays for other Star Wars installments, namely “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Return of the Jedi,” and “The Force Awakens.” RC