Solo: A Star Wars Story is one of the most underestimated films in the Star Wars franchise, with many reasons why it deserves more love. Unfortunately, the 2018 film was not a success financially, being the first Star Wars film to lose money during its theatrical run. Despite this, it’s worth revisiting because it’s much better than many remember.
The lack of box office success for Solo can be attributed to various factors, including its release during the controversial aftermath of The Last Jedi, publicized behind-the-scenes drama, and director changes. Competing against Avengers: Infinity War didn’t help either, as Disney gave it less marketing priority. The film’s failure led Lucasfilm to reconsider its anthology plans and how to use legacy characters, impacting the lack of new films since 2019.
10 Alden Ehrenreich was a fantastic young Han Solo
He owned the legacy role
Alden Ehrenreich portrayed a young Han Solo growing up as a petty thief on Corellia with dreams of becoming a pilot. While embodying some classic Harrison Ford gestures, Ehrenreich’s performance felt organic and not forced.
Unfortunately, the film’s underperformance may have discouraged Lucasfilm from casting younger actors for legacy roles, as seen in later productions like The Mandalorian and Book of Boba Fett.
9 Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian
No one could have played Lando better
Donald Glover’s portrayal of Lando Calrissian was a stroke of genius and arguably the best casting in Solo. Hopefully, the planned Lando film will come to fruition soon.
8 Qi’ra by Emilia Clarke
A truly dynamic addition to Star Wars
A new Star Wars character introduced in Solo, Qi’ra brought depth to the film with her internal conflict tied to Han and her leadership of Crimson Dawn. Her foresight into Han’s future as a hero added an intriguing layer to the story.
7 Visiting Corellia for the first time
Han Solo’s homeworld
Exploring Corellia for the first time in a Star Wars film was a treat, showcasing the origins of Han Solo and adding depth to his character.
