SPECULATION Could Solo be in May as a Cleanser?

I think you're on track with the wanting a longer gap between 8 and 9

 

Are they tired of yearly Star Wars or just yearly Star Wars that isn't what they want?
I bet those who loved TLJ are happy as hell with yearly and those that didn't think it's saturated.

And if opinions on TLJ were reversed, so would wanting yearly SW

 

i'm more aghast that with Solo coming out in May, we'll have 500 and some-odd days before we get more Star Wars and that's well over a year!

 

*Kathleen Kennedy twirls mustache evilly*

 

that's it! i've had it! i'm quitting Star Wars!

(at least for the next 30 minutes while i take a quick lunch break, though i can't promise i won't google space wigglies while i'm gone).

 

this could be the way we win! : D

 

Yup, plenty of time to yell at each other over Solo till 9.

 

Here is some points I want to say:

1. For myself, I do not appreciate "references" to the old EU. It's not good. The entire raison d'etre for discontinuing the "Legend" EU was "people might be confused." -- That's what they said at the time anyway. And furthermore, just imagine "Chewie" written as Han's sworn enemy because "Chewie" doesn't like life debts. Just like Hanharr and Mira. See, New Canon had references to the Old EU right there. Mission accomplished.

2. Also, cawatrooper, I haven't really read all the spoilers, but what "aspects of EU" were referenced? Do you mean Han having a "mentor?" a "Bria Tharen" like character who isn't named Bria Tharen and having a different backstory? The name Corellia? The fact that Han went to the Imperial academy?

3. By putting a film in May. I may just be a cheapskate, but going to the movies is somewhat a big deal as far as my family is concerned. Normally we only go to the movies at Christmas. This SW film at May just gurantee people whose schedule like mine will not watch Solo a Star Wars story in theaters.

4. Cawatrooper, are you saying LFL plan to make Solo so bad that IX, and by extension Episode 8, are masterpieces by comparison? Or what exactly do you mean by Solo in may as a "cleanser?"

 

I see where you're coming from, @cawatrooper, but personally I don't believe that's the case. I don't think LFL expected the backlash. I also don't think the backlash is significant enough to panic. It's loud, but look at the recent SWNN poll on Twitter. 4000 people voted, which is a very solid sample:



Majority of fans liked it, critics liked it, it made the money... Maybe LFL predicted that? Meanwhile, Solo is tracking at $150 million opening (not a given, but it's something). So it turns out it's not like they desperately need a cleanser. And by the way, the troubled Solo seems like a tough and risky sell for a cleanser.

I think they stayed in May to try it out. The stakes are relatively low with this one, so it's OK to experiment. Let's not forget IX was supposed to come out in May as well and I think that the push was motivated mainly by the shakeup. It's very likely that they would stay in May if Trevorrow wasn't fired and that would become the new default for Star Wars (which would be a mistake IMHO, I hope they stick to December, it's perfect). The longer gap between Solo and IX is going to turn out well, because, even though it's painful, it will make everybody more hyped for IX.

 

Very good point and something I've said since The Last Jedi came out. There's a very vocal minority who didn't like TLJ. It's clearly a more divisive film, but this idea that there's a huge backlash against the film doesn't add up. I expect Solo to be a fun adventure. That will be a nice bounce back from Rogue One/TLJ which were both much darker than a fun Star Wars film.

 

i love ginger with the sushi. not sure how to convert that metaphorically, but you just made me hungry. : D

i honestly don't think Solo was intended as palate cleanser, though.

 

i'm good for that too! XD

i do think the contrast theory is very sensible and probably accurate. i also don't doubt that given the trouble production Lucasfilm is already okay with writing this one off if it's not a hit. i really think the one-offs are an experimental play space to try out new directors with new ideas. is it going the way they expected? no and we may see some change-ups in the overall plan, but none of that will have anything to do with alleged "backlash" against TLJ. it's just them rolling the dice at the table because they can absolutely afford to do so, first of all, and secondly (and i mentioned this before), it honors the pioneering spirit of George Lucas.

and that, i think, matters more to them in the end than worrying about a misfire here or there, or bumps along the path.

 

You're overthinking it. It's about Disney not wanting to compete against their own films. They moved Avengers up to make sure that movie had a good month before Solo. They couldn't push Solo back to later in the summer without overlapping their Pixar release in June or their MCU release in July. As for December? Well, they don't want Solo competing with Mary Poppins.