It looks like we might just be seeing Harrison Ford as Han Solo in Star Wars Episode VII after all. The word on the street is that Ford is open to the idea of returning to the role which launched him to stardom in 1977. There is also a rumour that X-Men: First Class director, Matthew Vaughn is set to direct the science fiction flick. Episode VII will be the first film in a new Star Wars trilogy from Walt Disney Studios, who recently bought Lucasfilm from George Lucas for $4.05 billion.
EW quotes a ‘highly placed source’ stating that Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill are all interested in returning to the Star Wars universe (read what Hamill had to say). The source says: “Harrison is open to the idea of doing the movie and he’s upbeat about it, all three of them are”.
Ford always wanted to kill off the character of Han Solo in The Return of the Jedi, but George Lucas was against this, believing that it might end the trilogy on a downer, while also hurting toy sales. If rumours are correct then Han Solo may die in this next instalment of the Skywalker saga. Personally, I‘d prefer to see him bite the laser blast in the final film of this new trilogy, but that’s just me. However, Ford won’t come cheap, so Disney might want him to pass the torch (lightsaber?), before handing over starring duties to a younger, less expensive cast.
Meanwhile, Steve ‘Frosty’ Weintraub has heard unsubstantiated rumblings that Matthew Vaughn will be directing the film. Vaughn recently and (inexplicably) dropped out of directing X-Men: Days of Future Past, only to be replaced by Bryan Singer. This seemed odd because the first film was so well received, both critically and commercially. However, this decision would make sense if he was offered the opportunity to direct a Star Wars movie. He’s a pretty good choice. I mean, nobody springs to mind when I think about who might direct a new Star Wars movie, but he’s good. He could bring humour and style – what more do you need?
Is any of this true? Who knows, but the pieces will have to fall into place soon if Disney wants to meet its targeted 2015 release date.
Keep reading Movies In Focus for more on Star Wars: Episode VII as it comes in.