'Star Wars' Han Solo to get solo spin-off film

Lucasfilm has revealed that the upcoming untitled stand-alone Star Wars film II will focus on an origin story about young Han Solo. The movie will be directed by The Lego Movie directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord, reported Ace Showbiz.

Although the filmmaking duo is often set to both direct and write the screenplay, this time it is writer duo Lawrence Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Raiders of the Lost Ark) and his son Jon Kasdan who will pen the script.

Miller and Lord are very excited to helm the project which has plenty of great characters. "This is the first film we've worked on that seems like a good idea to begin with. We promise to take risks, to give the audience a fresh experience, and we pledge ourselves to be faithful stewards of these characters who mean so much to us," the directors said.

They also said that helming the project was like a dream come true. The film will be executive produced by Kasdan and Jason McGatlin and co-produced by Will Allegra.

The Han Solo spin-off movie was initially one of the first films in the Star Wars anthology series, but it shifted to Gareth Edwards' Rogue One which will debut next year.

Meanwhile, the Han Solo movie, which is set for a release in the US on May 25, 2018, will focus on "how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley."