Prolific writer Lawrence Kasdan has made his fair share of Star Wars films, with the untitled Han Solo film being his next project in the series' canon. And, according to new information, it looks like that 2018 project going to be his last contribution to the legendary franchise.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the scoop earlier today, in which Kasdan stated that when it comes to writing Star Wars movies, four is his limit. Actually, three would have been it – as the writer of both The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi was ready to hang it up with Star Wars: The Force Awakens His change of heart came when his son, Jon, convinced him to co-write the next Star Wars Anthology film, which will be released after Gareth Edwards' Star Wars: Rogue One.
While Lawrence Kasdan's departure from the landmark franchise is a pretty big step to consider, especially with two more films to follow after Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it shouldn't be interpreted as a move towards retirement. Kasdan is looking towards going back to directing, with his last film in the chair being 2012's Darling Companion. This isn't too big of a shock, as Rian Johnson was announced as writing and directing Star Wars: Episode VIII when he landed the gig, however one would have assumed that Kasdan would have at least stayed on for the next two films as a sort of story adviser / Jedi Master. While Kasdan recently was reported as bringing Johnson up to speed on the new world he's about to take part in, it looks like that's about all he's prepared to do at this time.
As for Kasdan's involvement in the 2018 Han Solo stand-alone film, we now feel a little more comfortable with the idea of learning the backstory behind the scruffy looking Nerf herder who would help defeat The Empire, and win the heart of a princess at the same time. Considering his pen was the one behind some of the more complex, and dare we say more human, moments of the Solo legacy, he's probably the best person qualified to bring the story of his younger years to the big screen.
It's sad to see Lawrence Kasdan leave the Star Wars galaxy, as he's one of the leading architects of its days of former glory. However, with Rian Johnson taking the torch for Star Wars: Episode VIII, we can't say that the franchise will be in bad hands. Writing one movie in the galaxy far, far away must feel like it takes the effort of writing a whole trilogy with each keystroke, and each revision made to the film at hand. So with four movies really feeling like twelve, we can see why Kasdan is packing it in after his Han Solo adventure. After all, too much time in your own universe can sometimes lead to questionable decisions being made - and that's a fate the Star Wars franchise would like to avoid repeating any time soon.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens comes to our galaxy on December 18, with the untitled Han Solo spin-off set for a May 25, 2018 release date.
