AceShowbiz - Disney’s stewardship of the Star Wars franchise has been a rollercoaster, marked by both celebrated successes and contentious releases. When the company acquired George Lucas’ iconic saga, anticipation was high, riding the wave of Kevin Feige’s Marvel Cinematic Universe triumphs. Fans eagerly awaited fresh narratives set within the beloved galaxy far, far away, hopeful that Disney’s involvement would usher in a new golden era for the franchise.

However, reinvigorating Star Wars for contemporary audiences proved more complicated than expected. While projects like Andor garnered acclaim for their depth and innovation, other efforts divided longtime fans. As Kathleen Kennedy’s tenure at Lucasfilm drew to a close, she openly reflected on her time overseeing the franchise, candidly revealing one major regret connected to the 2018 film Solo A Star Wars Story.

In a 2026 interview with Deadline, Kathleen Kennedy acknowledged that although she stood by the decisions made during her leadership, the execution of Solo: A Star Wars Story presented challenges—primarily behind the scenes rather than within the film itself. She highlighted the difficulty of placing Alden Ehrenreich in the daunting role of Han Solo, a character so closely associated with Harrison Ford. Kennedy admitted, “conceptually, we did it too soon,” suggesting the timing of the film’s release was a key misstep.

Released in May 2018, Solo: A Star Wars Story was the franchise’s second standalone anthology film following Rogue One. Directed by Ron Howard after original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller departed mid-production, the film was caught up in a wave of high-profile creative disputes that affected several blockbuster movies at the time. As a result, fans were left with a single theatrical cut, while alternate versions remained unseen, adding to the film’s complicated legacy.

The movie served as an origin story for Han Solo, exploring his early adventures and relationships. However, Kennedy’s regret centered on the decision to introduce a young Han so soon after Ford’s iconic portrayal ended tragically in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Given the character and actor’s beloved status, audiences were still mourning the loss, and Ehrenreich’s portrayal unintentionally reminded viewers of that grief rather than offering a joyful new chapter.

Despite the challenges, Kennedy praised Ehrenreich’s performance, noting that it was one of the film’s strongest elements. She emphasized that while the narrative and pacing had issues, the casting and acting were not among them. This recognition sets the stage for potential future use of Ehrenreich as Han Solo, especially now that the Star Wars franchise is entering a new creative phase under different leadership.

With Kennedy having stepped down, the current heads of Lucasfilm, Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, have an opportunity to revisit the character and storylines introduced in Solo. The original film explored the darker, less-charted territories of the Star Wars underworld, focusing on Han and Chewbacca’s adventures away from the Jedi and Sith conflicts. It introduced characters like Woody Harrelson’s Tobias Beckett, Donald Glover’s young Lando Calrissian, Paul Bettany’s Dryden Vos, and Emilia Clarke’s Qi’ra, enriching the galaxy’s tapestry.

Recent and upcoming projects such as Andor, Maul: Shadow Lord, and Star Wars: Starfighter are expanding the franchise’s focus on the galaxy’s fringe elements and morally complex stories. A sequel to Solo would fit organically into this evolving direction, offering fresh narratives with minimal risk of contradicting established canon. It would also provide a chance to build upon Ehrenreich’s praised performance in a context better suited to exploring Han Solo’s character growth.

The potential for a Solo sequel represents a way to address one of the most significant regrets of Kennedy’s tenure while aligning with the franchise’s current creative vision. By revisiting Han Solo’s story under new stewardship, Lucasfilm could deliver a more timely, resonant chapter that honors the character’s legacy and satisfies fans eager for compelling Star Wars tales beyond the Skywalker saga.

As the franchise continues to evolve, the idea of giving Alden Ehrenreich another opportunity to portray the beloved smuggler gains traction. With improved timing and narrative support, a follow-up film could transform the perception of Solo and enrich the Star Wars universe’s growing exploration of its underworld and anti-hero characters.

Fans and observers alike await announcements on whether Lucasfilm will embrace this direction, potentially turning a past regret into a new success story. The foundation laid by Solo: A Star Wars Story and Ehrenreich’s commendable portrayal could finally reach its full potential in the near future, bringing fresh energy and depth to one of the galaxy’s most enduring figures.