Ron Howard Calls Solo A Different Type Of Star Wars Film

Now that Disney's latest Marvel offering is hoovering up money around the world, the Mouse House is turning its attention to reminding us all that a new Star Wars movie is just around the corner. The studio has recruited director Ron Howard and some of his creative collaborators to talk up Solo: A Star Wars Story for a new featurette, which also includes fresh footage from the film, so bear that in mind if you're trying to avoid new scenes before you watch the whole thing.

Outlining once again what the film covers – i.e. some of Han's early days, before he rocks up at the Mos Eisley Cantina for his fateful encounter with Luke and Obi-Wan – we're told that this "incredible free spirit" is ploughing his own way in a world (or a galaxy) where the Empire's fist crushes all. Solo shows the challenges our hero (Alden Ehrenreich) has to go through, and the bravado with which he meets them as he realises Imperial service really doesn't agree with him and he falls in with a crew of criminals.

We'll get to see his first meeting with Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and how he scores the Millennium Falcon from Donald Glover's Lando.

With Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton, Paul Bettany and Jon Favreau in the cast, Solo: A Star Wars Story continues its mission to overcome the negativity around the ditching of original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, with the results of Howard's work arriving on 24 May. You can find a lot more about the film in the current issue of Empire, now on sale.