REVISITING THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF 'SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY'!

Solo awaits entry into the lair of crime boss Lady Proxima, in an unused shot from Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Never has a Star Wars film deserved to do better box office success than Solo: A Star Wars Story when it debuted in cinemas during mid-2018. The film is great fun and Ron Howard and his cast and crew did a splendid job of crafting the young Han Solo's first rogue adventure. The amount of re-filming needed for the movie beyond what was originally shot by ultimately replaced original directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord has never been fully pinned down (sources vary between sixty and eighty per cent!), and photos of certain intriguing scenes cut or revised are unlikely to ever see the light of day post release (especially related to the late Michael Kenneth Williams leonine alien version of Dryden Vos), but we can at least sample a small amount of the originally planned material showcased through the film's media and publicity build-up and in selected tie-in books released during 2018. 

Enjoy this compendium celebrating the alternate version (and deleted scenes) of the film... 

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': CORELLIA RECRUITMENT!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': REVISITING A CANTWELL CLASSIC!

 STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': CHEWIE'S WINTER BREAK!

Alternate scene by Lord and Miller linked to Lady Proxima's crime den.

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': RIDE 'EM, CHEWIE!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': GOING UP!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': THE KESSEL PLAN...

STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: 'SOLO': BAD HAIR DAY!

We may never see the archived footage of Michael Kenneth Williams' original baddie (replaced by Paul Bettany's Dryden Vos in re-shoots) but we can surmise that he looked like the Leonine-visaged Hylobon mercenaries, to whom he was originally part of the same race.

Other related info:

Michael K. Williams sheds light on his former Solo: A Star Wars Story role

‘Solo’: Phil Lord & Chris Miller Scenes Still in the Movie – IndieWire

Does This 'Solo' Deleted Scene Give Us a New Glimpse at Lord and Miller's Version? - TheWrap

'Star Wars' Deleted Scenes: How Cut 'Solo' Scenes Connect to 'Lego' Directors

This deleted scene from 'Solo: A Star Wars Story' shows how different the movie could have been

'SOLO': THE FEMALE FACTOR!

The definition of a survivor, having endured such prior bad luck and hardship in her early life amongst the slave scavengers of Corellia, the resourceful Qi'Ra, as of the end of Solo: A Star Wars Story, was seen becoming one of the most powerful crime bosses in the galaxy via the Crimson Dawn cartel. And that makes her more dangerous and unpredictable than ever, despite her deep affection for former lover, Han Solo...

Acclaimed author E.K. Johnston, adept at developing popular Star Wars franchise heroines within all-new canon-related adventures, looks set to deliver another acclaimed winner with her take on Qi'ra, as Crimson Climb comes to Disney Books (US hardback) later in the year (October 2023)...

Rise to power, rise to control...

Solo: A Star Wars Story Actor Addresses Qi'ra Cliffhanger

'SOLO': TO DEAL WITH A SCOUNDREL...

Still on Vandor, the eager to score success for themselves Han and Chewbacca (aka 'hairy and the boy'), with critical help from Qi'ra and Beckett, encounter the charismatic, talented, but still crooked entrepreneur Lando Calrissian, to whom a right-price deal must be struck quickly to acquire his services and fast ship for travel to Kessel. A fun scene from Solo: A Star Wars Story full of effective dialogue, humour and good character performance moments.

Behind the scenes on the partial reshooting of the sequence.

It's also a scene genuinely honouring (if transferred to a space fantasy environment) the kind of atmospheric, cold and frosty western township vibe seen in popular seventies genre films like the Warren Beatty cult classic McCabe and Mrs Miller, a primary creative example for Solo's Vandor-set tone by its original directors, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

Star Wars: Will Alden Ehrenreich return as Han Solo?

'SOLO': THE KESSEL PLAN...

It's an audacious plan they have to steal the unrefined coaxium from the dangerous Pyke Syndicate ensconced on the legendary, brutal world of Kessel. Nonetheless, the disguised Qi'ra is ready to help the reckless Han Solo and Chewbacca in their madness, during this deleted Falcon corridor scene moment from Solo: A Star Wars Story.

https://www.vogue.com/article/solo-a-star-wars-story-costume-designers-interview

'SOLO': IN THE SHADOWS OF FREEDOM!

He's played his escape hand, now Han Solo and Qi'ra are on the run from their enslavers on Corellia, making their bid for a new life offworld in the fun and memorable speeder chase scene at the beginning to Solo: A Star Wars Story.

'SOLO': BAD HAIR DAY!

Image: Jon Kasdan/Twitter.

Going deeper into the mysterious Kessel maw/maelstrom, an electrical storm subtly hits the Falcon, giving its occupants some new hairstyles, in particular Chewie! A humorous moment that was filmed but ultimately cut from Solo: A Star Wars Story, though it made it into both Mur Lafferty's novelisation of the film and Joel Schrieber's junior novel.

Concept art for the scene.

'SOLO': A BOND FORMED FROM FEAR!

Once a part of Crimson Dawn, you're unlikely to escape its grip ever after.

Having been acquired for service to the Crimson Dawn criminal organisation spread throughout the galaxy, Qi'ra's special relationship with Dryden Vos is a combination of fear, servitude and trust (of sorts), but never anything of a true equal footing, especially with Vos's violent underlying nature.

Despite Qi'ra's clear to see uneasy but loyal relationship to her 'employer', Joel Schreiber's junior novel for Solo: A Star Wars Story has Darth Maul later intriguingly reveal to our flawed heroine that Vos considered Qi'ra his greatest trained disciple of Crimson Dawn, and most likely the only individual in his ranks physically capable of taking him down, which, of course, she ultimately would!

'SOLO': TOGETHER FOR FREEDOM!

Though their early relationship started on a rocky note, the love between Qi'ra and Han Solo soon grew, intensified with their need to escape from the industrial slums of Corellia once the opportunity finally arises, in this moment from Solo: A Star Wars Story.

'SOLO': THE FUTURE OF CRIMSON DAWN!

Their destinies now fully intertwined- Qi'ra and Maul, in this great fan composition.

It was quite the surprise on original release, wasn't it?! The shocking yet intriguing return of Ray Park as an older but no less bloodthirsty (former Darth) Maul (voiced by his regular TV animated voice man in Sam Witwer), back from the dead a la the established The Clone Wars series timeline events, and now a continued part of the Anthology/Prequel era. Though it's hugely unlikely that there will be any more young Han Solo sequels, there is every reason to believe that both Crimson Dawn leaders Qi'ra and her Dark Side employer will return somewhere in a future film or live-action TV series, hopefully in the projects being conceived by David's Benioff and Weiss...

More on Maul's return:
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-solos-most-shocking-star-wars-cameo-happened/1100-6459200/

Expanded Universe connections:
https://www.starwars.com/news/how-darth-maul-son-of-dathomir-connects-to-solo-a-star-wars-story

A different point of view:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/solo-darth-maul-cameo-undermined-qi-ra-character-arc-1117058?utm_source=twitter

Ray Park returns:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lukethompson/2018/09/07/darth-maul-robot-legs-revealed-solo-a-star-wars-story-stills-ray-park-clone-wars-rebels-phantom-menace-sam-witwer-blu-ray-4k-dvd-the-last-jedi-ron-howard/#2282bf7719c3

Sam Witwer on Maul's return:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdRgY2gtxgk

'SOLO': WHEN FATE LEADS TO OPPORTUNITY!

The stakes have never been higher for either herself or Han Solo, as Qi'ra goes into battle against her former sadistic criminal employer Dryden Vos in the main audience chamber of his cruiser- her practice and use of ancient weapons soon brought to the fore in this great crowd-pleasing scene from Solo: A Star Wars Story, and one which I'm sure actress Emilia Clarke, looking very cool as Qi'ra, thoroughly enjoyed training for.

This superb image is part of many new released images from the film that can be purchased over at the STAR WARS Authentics site: https://www.starwarsauthentics.com/

'SOLO': HEIGHTENED INSTINCTS...

Newly arrived on Savareen, our heroes make their way back to the small settlement located at the refining colony, though Chewbacca's instincts for sensing potential trouble ahead are as as good as ever, in this scene from Solo: A Star Wars Story, out now on Blu-ray and DVD.

US Target stores release with exclusives.

'SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY' - OUT NOW ON UK BLU-RAY/DVD/DIGITAL!

It's time to 'buckle up, baby', lightspeed your way down via the nearest habitable Outer Rim trading post and pick up your copy of Solo: A Star Wars Story, out now in all UK home entertainment formats. Those fans who sadly didn't get to see it on the big screen will surely enjoy this truly fun and thoroughly entertaining summer Star Wars blockbuster, whilst fans who saw and loved it first time round can also catch up on all the special 'Easter Eggs' they may have missed!

US release review:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Solo-A-Star-Wars-Story-4K-Blu-ray/205706/

Release trailer (US):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-H9iUziVX8

An unusual hiding place for Qi'ra and Han in one of the film's early deleted scenes.

Deleted scene taster:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TvzXPhzr4U

Behind the scenes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfxoXB4aKRE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8815hhloAEY

The cast talks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSiFJ-NN_7w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEpuHfbvD0s
https://www.youtube.com/starwars

Clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3tP1Xh7_C4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3EKgqjMw4g

Also available on standard Blu-ray.

Get it here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Solo-Star-Story-Blu-ray-Region/dp/B07D5LFM7H/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1537719422&sr=8-2&keywords=solo+a+star+wars+story

'SOLO': STARTING A REVOLUTION!

Need a big distraction when you're stealing one of the most valuable substances in the galaxy from a dangerous crime syndicate? Well, have no fear, L3-37 is here, and she's stirring up a droid revolution to boot! A great scene for the character from Solo:A Star Wars Story, out this month on home entertainment formats worldwide.

'SOLO': A GALAXY OF ROGUES AND SCOUNDRELS!

The Jedi are gone and the Republic for whom they served has collapsed in on itself, through which an oppressive Empire has now been forged. This is a time of darkness, of scum and villainy. And a time when 'free enterprise' for rogues and misfits thrives between the far-out cracks of the universe. Welcome to the universe and main characters of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

'SOLO': AN EXPLOSIVE CONTRIBUTION!

Under attack from all sides, though their mission of theft is almost completed, Qi'ra brings some explosive back-up to the Falcon's soon escape from Kessel, in this great image from Solo: A Star Wars Story.

'SOLO': SEALING THE DEAL!

The leader of the Pyke clan on Kessel gives his unique seal of approval to the newly arrived Oksana Floren (aka Qi'ra) and her slave trade bargaining, in this scene from Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Ron Howard on Qi'ra, and the difficult choices she faces by film's end:
https://lrmonline.com/news/ron-howard-talks-about-qiras-motivations-at-the-end-of-solo-a-star-wars-story/

'SOLO': GOING UP!

A glamorous party is in full swing aboard the luxury cruiser of gangster leader Dryden Vos (then played by Michael Kenneth Williams), as Han Solo and his colleagues arrive via central platform in its main reception area. A scene for Solo: A Star Wars Story that was ultimately re-filmed with Paul Bettany taking the role of Vos, and on a newly designed set, of which the lift was ultimately re-positioned outside of the reception area.

Han is reunited with Qi'ra (note the different costume and look for her character).

With lots of deleted or re-filmed scenes for the movie, as well as concept ideas that never quite made it to the final screenplay, here's a look at what to possibly expect on the upcoming Blu-ray release:

http://www.indiewire.com/2018/05/solo-a-star-wars-story-cut-cameo-1201965339/

'SOLO': LATEST NEWS (EARLY JUNE 2018)

The film's fully on release worldwide, it's received good to very good reviews, and those that have seen it love it. So what's stopping you?! Go see Solo: A Star Wars Story on the big screen right now and enjoy the fun of it all - you won't be disappointed!

Latest clips and news:

Out now TV spots:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS7Y9fNmqUI

More on Enfys Nest:
https://www.comicbookmovie.com/sci-fi/star_wars/solo-a-star-wars-story-spoilers-meet-the-actor-that-plays-enfys-nest-in-the-movie-a160868

A look back to Solo's original adventures now in the 'Legacy' realms;
https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/31/17408544/solo-star-wars-story-expanded-universe-ac-crispin-novels

Ron Howard interview (talks about Tom Hanks wanting to be a stormtrooper):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k8cLWXwa7U

Paul Bettany on Dryden Vos:
https://heroichollywood.com/solo-star-wars-bettany-dryden-vos/

Out now- a new TOPPS sticker collection.

John Powell on the score:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZm48CKKIUc

Easter Eggs to look out for:

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/05/solo-star-wars-easter-eggs-callbacks-references-golden-dice-kessel-run-lando?mbid=nl_CH_5b07560d016c7568e478caf4&CNDID=36338303&spMailingID=13585078&spUserID=MTMzMTgyNzc3MDM4S0&spJobID=1402330543&spReportId=MTQwMjMzMDU0MwS2

Merchandise guide linked to the film- out now and coming later in the year (updated):
https://www.starwars.com/news/solo-a-star-wars-story-books-are-here-and-more-are-on-the-way

New Battlefront game info:
http://www.gamerevolution.com/news/394255-star-wars-battlefront-2-solo-content-details-and-release-date-revealed

'SOLO': TO ESCAPE THE PAST!

Harsh realities for Han and Qi'ra on Corellia.

They've lived the most miserable of existences and faced terrible cruelty and hardship in the near-slave lives forced upon them as 'Scrumrats' for the harsh underworld ghetto leader Madame Proxima. Now times are changing for young Han Solo and his loyal friend and lover Qi'ra - finally gaining an opportunity to escape their past and soar towards a potentially hopeful new future. If they can escape the White Worms gang, that is. And if they can broker successful passage from one of Corellia's tightly controlled Imperial spaceports...

Will Han's lucky dice bring good fortune, or the worst kind of trouble?

Find out more about young Han and Qi'ra's early days in a fast-paced adventure set pre-Solo: A Star Wars Story: Most Wanted, written by best selling novelist, Rae Carson. It's out now in the UK from DISNEY PRESS/EGMONT.

More info:

Set before the events of Solo: A Star Wars Story! Han and Qi'ra don't have a lot in common other than not having a lot. They're street kids on the industrial planet Corellia, doing whatever it takes to get by, dreaming of something more. They each jump at a chance to prove themselves in the perilous world of Corellia's criminal underbelly, only to discover they are on the same mission for the same unscrupulous boss. When the job goes disastrously wrong, Han and Qi'ra are on the run - from pirates, a droid crime syndicate, the Empire, and their boss - and will have to learn to trust each other if they are going to survive.


Get it here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Most-Wanted/dp/1405291486/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1528282527&sr=8-2&keywords=star+wars+most+wanted

'SOLO': MEET THE SCOUNDRELS!

One set of advance Solo: A Star Wars Story character posters would face some fan controversy during the film's 2018 pre-release marketing campaign, due to the fact that our main band of scoundrels were not shown holding their blaster weapons, a cautious creative decision initiated by Disney, apparently in response to worries about the promotion of guns in family entertainment. Thankfully, this character poster set would go on to appear unaltered within international territories.

Above and below are the original versions of those posters as seen at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2018. It would seem that only the Beckett character was showcased in this campaign without a blaster.

More on the main cast of Solo in the fun featurette:
https://www.starwars.com/video/scoundrels-solo-a-star-wars-story