Solo: A Star Wars Story

Before its release, some folks wondered if a Han Solo movie was really what we “needed.”  Some people worried about a “stand-alone” movie touching one of the Big Three from the Original Trilogy. Others were concerned about the upheaval in the director’s chair and what that might mean.

But, come May 2018, we were treated to an immensely enjoyable adventure. With Imperials and, of course, Wookiees (to say nothing of that one cameo at the end), the movie was firmly rooted in the Star Wars universe. At the same time, with its Western-style heist theme and the fate of the galaxy not at stake, the movie is undeniably unique among all the other cinematic installments from a galaxy far, far away.

Seeing Han’s roots lent more weight to all of his appearances in the original trilogy, and especially to his coda in The Force Awakens. Even some Star Wars fans who weren’t necessarily Han “people” before were completely won over. And many of us were fascinated by new characters like Qi’Ra and Enfys Nest.  

And of course, being Star Wars fans, we wanted more. Fortunately, the Expanded Universe has always been there. From older novels that offer a fascinating alternate look at how the galaxy’s most famous smuggler got started to new works released concurrent with the film, there’s plenty more to enjoy from the feats of Han Solo.