'SOLO': WAR BUDDIES!

War is hell, as the saying goes, and that's especially true for Imperial grunt Han Solo and his new hairy comrade Chewbacca as they're caught in an epic confrontation. Intriguing concept art for Solo: A Star Wars Story prior to the film's script being fully locked down.

'SOLO': THE UN-IMPERIAL IMPERIAL!

Things are looking decidedly bleak for Imperial infantry mug Han Solo and other soldiers what with the death of their commander on the intense front lines of battle of Mimban. Gloomy that is, until the talented and blaster-ready arrival of a new 'officer', and a certainly memorable and courageous one at that for the impressionable Solo, especially when showcasing his unique gun-slinger twirling talents.

Welcome to Mimban and Solo: A Star Wars Story, Tobias Beckett!

In the thick of frontline battle!

Filming the classic blaster twirl sequence at Pinewood.

'SOLO': FIERCE CREATURES!

Fighting for their lives and their world, now under attack and planned takeover by Emperor Palpatine and his overwhelming Imperial war machine, the alien swamp warriors of Mimban prove an effective fighting force, once more echoing the might of the primitive against the high-tech concept that has been seen through the saga over the years. 

It was great to see the creatures of Alan Dean Foster's 1978 gem novel Splinter of the Mind's Eye make it to cinematic reality during the opening to Solo: A Star Wars Story.

'SOLO': THE STORMTROOPERS RETURN!

One of the Mimban-based Imperial Stormtroopers.

Where the Empire spreads its cruel dominion, so too comes the presence of the Imperial Stormtroopers. We've seen many iterations of them now, yet Solo: A Star Wars Story cleverly reveals new types of environmental fighting soldier that will surely keep the 501st fans entertained for years to come...

Imperial Range Troopers protect the Conyeyex transport on Vandor.

Mimban Stormtroopers endure the swamps.

A new variation of the speeder bike pilot.

'SOLO': INTRODUCING THANDIE NEWTON AS VAL...

Ready for the next 'job': Thandie Newton as Val.

MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!

It's been a great couple of years for Brit star Thandie Newton, entering an all-new phase of an already diverse career, what with the well-deserved acclaim she's received for her truly captivating performance as an android brothel keeper in the sci-fi nightmare of HBO's Westworld, and now getting to play with even bigger franchise toys, as well as portraying an even more iconic and memorable figure in film history, inhabiting the fiery and efficient thief and crack shot Val, part of the game-changing rogue hero-shaping events of the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story.

On the battlefield of Mimban. But are Val and Beckett really fighting for the Empire?

Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsDdQwwF8-E

And as the next formidable female figure of the saga, Newton's action anti-hero-of-sorts in Val clearly doesn't suffer fools gladly, speaks her mind and readies her blaster when necessary, and trusts only a few key people- most notably the efficient and versatile Tobias Beckett- leader of the band of thieves and fortune hunters she's been long-time hooked up with. And when that young and feisty Han Solo turns ups with his own cocksure attitude and abilities, and wants in on their schemes of glory and plunder, you can bet things will be getting pretty tense!

Planning their unique heist on the cold world of Vandor.

Always a fan of the saga, Thandie Newton talked to the UK's Radio Times magazine (April 2018) on the importance of being in Solo:

'I'm the first woman of colour to have a prominent role in the Star Wars legacy. There have been others with one line and Lupita Nyong'o was a computer generated character, but you didn't get to see the colour of her skin.

I'm the first. I'm going to have a toy and everything. It's exciting, but that's all I can say. It's a big deal.'

UPDATE: New UK interview:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/may/19/thandie-newton-being-the-first-dark-skinned-woman-in-star-wars-is-great-and-awful

Val, prepared for heist action with her cable equipment.

Thandie Newton and fellow Brit babe Emilia Clarke at the Solo premiere in Los Angeles.

'SOLO': INTRODUCING TOBIAS BECKETT...

Recognising something about his own once cocky personality and talents in the raw and impulsive Han Solo, we know that the important character of Tobias Beckett, having known the Corellian hotshot since their days together seemingly 'fighting' for the Empire on the swamp world of Mimban, will recruit him and his wookiee partner to his special team for a unique train heist on the snow world of Vandor. We also know that Beckett will give the soon-to-be-icon his classic blaster (which Harrison Ford held and used from 1977 onwards), and that he is good friends with the mysterious former Imperial known as Val (an intense Thandie Newton, judging from trailer footage shown so far). Presumably, Beckett becomes a respected father figure-type to the ambitious Solo, too. But, in an Imperial controlled galaxy where everybody's out for themselves, can the formidable and likely highly manipulative leader ultimately be trusted?

Woody Harrelson interview: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsDdQwwF8-E

An Imperial past of sorts for Beckett and Han, from conflicts on Mimban.

Putting together a crew!

With a brilliant ability to play comedy, drama, and tough-edged action, Woody Harrelson is a most welcome addition to the STAR WARS universe, of which we look forward to seeing how Beckett, a true western/sci-fi fusion concoction by Lawrence Kasdan and Jake Kasdan, plays out during the events of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

More on Beckett and Val: http://ew.com/movies/2018/02/09/solo-a-star-wars-story-woody-harrelson-thandie-newton-paul-bettany/

Box Office opens May 4th, 2018.