Is the Han Solo movie set for a release date switch?

When the words “pushed back”, “delayed” or indeed “reshoots” are attached to a big film, a large chunk of the film community smells trouble. Whether to do with reshoots, scheduling changes or simply that a studio has lost enthusiasm for a project, such words always come with a sense of dread. Now it seems the new Han Solo spin-off film may be in for something similar but altogether less scary.

News has followed today from the Making Star Wars (via ThePlaylist) site that the newest spin-off may be pushed back to Christmas 2018 but rather than fearing the worst, the news should be greeted with excitement by fans. When word of reshoots circulated before Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was released, it sent the internet into meltdown but it’s box office returns have laid any to rest any fears emphatically. Indeed Star Wars: Episode VIII, which was due this summer, was pushed back to Christmas given the success of The Force Awakens.

For Christmas for the past two years have seen Star Wars take over, with both films enjoying tremendous success and Rogue One could soon join The Force Awakens in the billion dollar club. Indeed, the sites also point out that Avengers: Infinity War is due on May 4th, 2018 – just three weeks before Han Solo was due to debut so it does indeed make perfect business sense.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller (The Lego Movie) direct the latest spin-off film which sees Alden Ehrenreich (Hail, Caesar!) star as the younger titular hero alongside Donald Glover (Community) as Lando Calrissian and Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) in an undisclosed role.