Punch It! Filming Begins For The Han Solo Star Wars Spin-Off

The new Han Solo spin-off film still doesn’t have an official title, but we now have our first look at a cast photo marking the start of principal photography at Pinewood Studios as of Monday. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie) are directing the film as one of several current spin-offs for Disney and Lucasfilm’s on-going Star Wars saga in lieu of Rian Johnson’s coming Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
The film, opening on May 25, 2018, stars actor Alden Ehrenreich as inspired by Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Han Solo, next to Finnish actor and basketballer Joonas Suotamo as loyal Wookie companion, Chewbacca, and will explore the events of both heroes leading up to the main canon’s second chapter that began with Episode IV: A New Hope. Disney’s recently-cast Simba for the upcoming live-action installment of The Lion King and co-star of Sony and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, actor Donald Glover will reprise the role of Lando Calrissian previously played by Billy Dee Williams.
Rounding out the cast are Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge from a script by Jon Kasdan and father, Star Wars veteran scribe Lawrence Kasdan who wrote Episode V and VI under director George Lucas and will also executive produce. Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur and Simon Emanuel are producing with Kiri Hart, Susan Towner, and Will Allegra co-producing. Jason McGatlin will also serve as executive producer.
“Watching such inspired people from all over the world, with such unique voices, come together for the sole purpose of making art, is nothing short of miraculous,” Lord and Miller said. “We can’t think of anything funny to say, because we just feel really moved, and really lucky.”
Academy Award nominee Bradford Young (Arrival), will serve as Director of Photography, with Chris Dickens working as Editor and SFX Supervisor Dominic Tuohy, VFX Supervisior Rob Bredow, and none other than Jackie Chan cohort, martial artist and stunt professional Brad Allan (Gorgeous, Kingsman: The Secret Service) designing the action.
Creature & Droid FX Creative Supervisor Neal Scanlon lines up along with production designer Neil Lamont, Dave Crossman and Glyn Dillon on costume design and Prop Master Jamie Wilkinson with Lisa Tomblin Amanda Knight on hair and make-up, respectively, and Nina Gold credited as UK Casting Director.